Generic name:eltrombopag [ el-TROM-boe-pag ]
Drug class:Platelet-stimulating agents
What is Promacta?
Promacta is a man-made form of a protein that increases production of platelets (blood-clotting cells) in your body. Eltrombopag can lower the risk of bleeding by increasing platelets in your blood.
Promacta is used to prevent bleeding episodes in adults and children age 1 year and older, who have chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). ITP is a bleeding condition caused by a lack of platelets in the blood. This medicine is not a cure for ITP and it will not make your platelet counts normal if you have this condition.
Promacta is also used to prevent bleeding in adults with chronic hepatitis C who are treated with an interferon (such as Intron A, Infergen, Pegasys, PegIntron, Rebetron, Redipen, or Sylatron).
Promacta is also used together with other medications to treat severe aplastic anemia in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.
Promacta is sometimes given after other treatments have failed.
Promacta is not for use in treating myelodysplastic syndrome (also called "preleukemia").
Warnings
Before you take Promacta tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, blood cancer, a bone marrow disorder, high platelet levels, liver problems (if you are not being treated for hepatitis C), a history of cataracts or blood clot, if your spleen has been removed, or if you are of East Asian descent. Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use.
Take Promacta on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Do not take this medication with milk. Avoid all dairy products or products that contain calcium (including fortified fruit juice) for at least 4 hours before or after you ta...
