Eltrombopag (By mouth)
el-TROM-boe-pag
Treats thrombocytopenia and aplastic anemia.
Drug classes
Hematopoietic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Eltrombopag is used to treat thrombocytopenia (low platelets in the blood) in adults and children 1 year of age and older with a blood disorder called chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This medicine is used after a splenectomy (surgery to remove the spleen) and other medicines, such as steroids or immunoglobulin, have not worked well enough. Eltrombopag is also used to treat thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C, along with interferon therapy. Platelets help clot the blood, so a person with thrombocytopenia may have bleeding problems. Eltrombopag works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more platelets.
Eltrombopag is also used to treat severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in patients who have received other medicines to treat SAA, when those medications did not work well.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Liquid, Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take this medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Tablet: Swallow whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Oral suspension: Mix the powder with cold water only. Take the medicine right after mixing it. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than 1 dose in a day.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Throw away any oral suspension that is not used within 30 minutes of mixing it.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how eltrombopag works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Bosentan, glyburide, imatinib, irinotecan, lapatinib, methotrexate, mitoxantrone, olmesartan, repaglinide, rifampin, sulfasalazine, topotecan, or valsartan Blood thinner (including warfarin) Statin medicine to lower cholesterol (including atorvastatin, ezetimibe, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin)Antacids, multivitamins, or other products (including dairy products or juices) that contain aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc must be taken at least 4 hours before or 2 hours after you take eltrombopag.
When Not To Use
This medicine is generally considered safe for most people. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including cirrhosis), bleeding problems, or a history of blood clots or cataracts. Tell your doctor if you had surgery to remove your spleen.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Liver problems Increased risk of blood clots New or worsening cataractsYour doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood
Dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights
Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat
Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Promacta
There may be other brand names for this medicine.