Eltrombopag
About Eltrombopag
Eltrombopag is a prescription oral medicine used to treat low blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when other treatments have not worked well. It is also prescribed to treat severe aplastic anemia and low platelets caused by chronic hepatitis C infection.
To get the best results, you must take Eltrombopag consistently every day exactly as directed by your doctor. You should take Eltrombopag on an empty stomach, either at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Avoid consuming dairy products, calcium-fortified juices, or mineral supplements close to your dose, as they can stop your body from absorbing the medicine.
While taking Eltrombopag, you may experience mild side effects like nausea, diarrhea, or muscle aches. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your eyes or skin, dark urine, or unusual tiredness.
Before starting Eltrombopag, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, blood clots, or cataracts. Do not take this if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. A long-term blood condition can feel stressful, especially when frequent blood tests and bleeding risks affect daily life. Eltrombopag is prescribed to help improve platelet counts and support your ongoing treatment plan.
Eltrombopag can interact with certain medications, including antacids, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and mineral supplements, which can make it less effective. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, consult your doctor or pharmacist to discuss whether Eltrombopag is safe for you. Eltrombopag may also be prescribed for children aged 1 year and older with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when other treatments have not worked well. The dose for children is carefully determined by a specialist.
Uses of Eltrombopag
Medicinal Benefits
- Helps reduce bleeding: Raises platelet counts to lower the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Supports important treatments: Helps patients receive necessary medical procedures or other treatments safely.
- May reduce transfusions: Helps decrease the need for frequent platelet transfusions in some patients
Directions for Use
- Eltrombopag can be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Eltrombopag as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Eltrombopag
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mild diarrhea or upset stomach
- Muscle aches or back pain
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Headache
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, or severe pain in the upper right side of your stomach
- Signs of a blood clot, such as sudden swelling, pain, or warmth in one leg, shortness of breath, or sudden chest pain
- New or worsening vision problems, which could indicate cataracts
- Allergic reactions, like skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the medicine before use: Always check that you have the correct strength of Eltrombopag before taking your dose.
- Do not stop treatment abruptly: Do not stop taking Eltrombopag suddenly, as your platelet count may fall rapidly and increase the risk of serious bleeding. Your doctor will advise you if treatment should be stopped and will usually monitor your platelet counts for about 4 weeks after discontinuation.
- Report vision changes promptly: Contact your doctor immediately if you notice blurred vision or any other changes in your eyesight, as Eltrombopag may increase the risk of cataracts.
- Inform healthcare providers before procedures: Tell your doctor, dentist, or surgeon that you are taking Eltrombopag before undergoing any medical, surgical, or dental procedure.
Drug Interactions
- Antacids and mineral supplements (e.g., aluminium, magnesium, calcium, iron, or zinc): These products may significantly reduce the absorption of Eltrombopag. Take Eltrombopag at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after these products.
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines (e.g., statins): Taking these alongside Eltrombopag may increase statin levels in the body, raising the risk of muscle pain or muscle damage.
- Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, aspirin): Combining these with Eltrombopag may affect your bleeding risk and require closer monitoring by your doctor.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionLimit alcohol intake, along with Eltrombopag, to attain the maximum efficacy of Eltrombopag and rule out any possibility of worsening of side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeEltrombopag is not recommended in pregnancy. It may affect and harm the developing baby. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Eltrombopag is excreted into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor for more information before taking Eltrombopag if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
cautionEltrombopag may cause dizziness and tiredness affecting your ability to concentrate and drive. Hence, it is recommended not to drive or operate machinery until you are mentally alert.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Eltrombopag. Eltrombopag may cause an increase in liver enzymes. Your doctor may start the treatment with a lower dose of Eltrombopag.
Kidney
consult your doctorEltrombopag should be used with caution in cases of renal impairment. It is advised to seek doctor advice before starting Eltrombopag if you have any kidney problems.
Children
cautionEltrombopag is not recommended for children less than one year of age in ITP and children less than two years of age in SAA.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Watch your calcium intake timing: Avoid eating calcium-rich foods like yogurt, cheese, milk, or calcium-fortified juices close to your dosing time. Maintain a strict window of 4 hours before or 2 hours after taking the medicine.
- Avoid certain supplements: Do not take multivitamins, antacids, or supplements containing iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, selenium, or zinc within the restricted window, as they bind to the medication and stop its absorption.
- Keep up with regular blood tests: Attend all scheduled blood tests. Your doctor will usually check your platelet count and liver function before starting treatment and regularly during therapy, often every month or as needed, to make sure the medicine is working safely.
- Prevent injuries: Because your platelet levels are still being managed, take precautions to avoid cuts, falls, or bruising. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a safety razor to lower the risk of bleeding.
Special Advise
- Please monitor your daily blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor.
- Since Eltrombopag affects liver enzymes, your doctor may suggest liver function tests to check your aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin levels before starting treatment and every two weeks after the treatment with Eltrombopag.
- Eltrombopag may also interfere with creatinine and bilirubin lab tests; hence, please inform your doctor and laboratory staff in advance.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP): It is an immune condition associated with low levels of platelets, and the blood doesn't clot normally. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own platelets. ITP also occurs in children, followed by a viral infection. Symptoms of ITP may include easy bruising, bleeding from gums and nose, blood in urine and stools, heavy menstrual flow and pinpoint-sized reddish-purple spots on the lower legs.
Hepatitis C: It is an infection and inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. This virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. Acute hepatitis C is a short-term illness that may last for six months. Chronic hepatitis C is a long-lasting disease that may lead to other severe liver cancer problems or cirrhosis (inflammation of the liver). Symptoms of hepatitis C include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and yellowing of the eyes and skin.
Severe aplastic anaemia (SAA): Aplastic anaemia is also called bone marrow aplasia. It is a condition in which the bone marrow doesn't make enough blood cells. SAA is commonly caused due to the damage of bone marrow. This damage can be a congenital disability or may occur because of radiation, chemotherapy, toxic chemicals, certain drugs and infections. Symptoms of SAA include fatigue, frequent infections, rapid heart rate and bleeding.
FAQs
Eltrombopag is used to treat low blood platelet count in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. It is also used to treat severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in adults.
Eltrombopag contains Eltrombopag that stimulates platelet's production (helps in clotting) from megakaryocytes (bone marrow cells). Thus Eltrombopag lowers the risk of bleeding episodes in diseases like immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and severe aplastic anaemia (SAA).
Do not stop using Eltrombopag even if you feel better. It should be strictly used as advised by your doctor to avoid the recurrence of symptoms and worsening of the disease.
Eltrombopag should be used with caution and only under doctor's supervision in cases of any allergic reactions, blood clots, clotting disorders (Factor V Leiden), blood disorders like blood cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, cataracts, liver or kidney diseases.
Eltrombopag decreases the risk of bleeding by increasing the platelet count in your body. However, you are advised to stay away from activities that may increase your risk of bleeding like contact sports and using sharp objects like razors and nail cutters.
It is advised to take Eltrombopag on an empty stomach. Please take Eltrombopag at least two hours before or four hours after consuming antacids, mineral and vitamin supplements (iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, selenium and zinc), dairy products, calcium-enriched foods and fortified juices since they interfere with the absorption of Eltrombopag.
Eltrombopag should be swallowed whole. Do not chew or crush the tablets.
It is usually taken once a day on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Take Eltrombopag at around the same time every day.
It may take up to 2 weeks for patients to respond to Eltrombopag.
Eltrombopag should not be taken with foods, beverages, or other medicines that contain high concentrations of aluminium, calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
Eltrombopag should be stored in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Eltrombopag can cause or increase the risk of severe liver issues. Check with your doctor straight away if you or your child experience nausea or vomiting, dark urine, light-coloured stools, right upper stomach pain, unusual exhaustion, or yellow eyes or skin while taking this medication.
Please take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
No, Eltrombopag does not cure these conditions. Instead, it helps manage them by stimulating platelet production and keeping your blood counts in a safer range. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about long-term management of your condition.
Eltrombopag may not be recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it could harm the baby. You should discuss the risks and benefits thoroughly with your healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
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