Eltrombopag
Generic name: eltrombopag [ el-TROM-boe-pag ]
Brand name: Promacta
Dosage forms: oral powder for reconstitution (12.5 mg; 25 mg); oral tablet (12.5 mg; 25 mg; 50 mg; 75 mg)
Drug class:Platelet-stimulating agents
What is eltrombopag?
Eltrombopag 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.
Eltrombopag is not a cure for ITP and it will not make your platelet counts normal if you have this condition.
Eltrombopag 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).
Eltrombopag is also used together with other medications to treat severe aplastic anemia in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.
Eltrombopag is sometimes given after other treatments have failed.
Eltrombopag is not for use in treating myelodysplastic syndrome (also called "preleukemia").
Eltrombopag may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Call your doctor at once if you have signs of liver problems: nausea, upper stomach pain, confusion, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Before taking this medicine
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a blood clot;
liver disease (unless you are being treated for hepatitis C);
cataracts;
surgery to remove your spleen; or
if you are of East Asian descent (Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, or Korean).
Eltrombopag may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking eltrombopag, and for at least 7 days after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
How should I take eltrombopag?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may take eltrombopag in any of the following ways:
on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating;
with a meal containing fewer than 50 milligrams of calcium; or
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