Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): Treatments
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder. In ITP, the blood doesn’t clot as it should. This is due to a low number of blood cell fragments called platelets or thrombocytes.
Part of: Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
About Immune Thrombocytopenia Treatments
Treatment for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is based on how much and how often you’re bleeding and your platelet count.
Adults who have mild ITP may not need any treatment, other than watching their symptoms and platelet counts. Adults who have ITP with very low platelet counts or bleeding problems often are treated.
The acute (short-term) type of ITP that occurs in children often goes away within a few weeks or months. Children who have bleeding symptoms, other than merely bruising (purpura), usually are treated.
Children who have mild ITP may not need treatment other than monitoring and followup to make sure their platelet counts return to normal.
Medicines
Medicines often are used as the first course of treatment for both children and adults.
Corticosteroids (cor-ti-co-STEER-roids), such as prednisone, are commonly used to treat ITP. These medicines, called steroids for short, help increase… Read more about Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): Treatments