Eltrombopag
About Eltrombopag
Eltrombopag belongs to the class of 'platelet-stimulating agents' primarily used to treat low blood platelet count in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Eltrombopag is also used to treat severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) in adults. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is an immune condition associated with low levels of platelets. Hepatitis C is an infection and inflammation of the liver caused due to hepatitis C virus. Severe aplastic anaemia is a condition in which the bone marrow doesn't make enough blood cells.
Eltrombopag contains 'Eltrombopag' which belongs to the class of 'thrombopoietin receptor agonists'. Thrombopoietin is a glycoprotein hormone that stimulates the formation of megakaryocytes (large bone marrow cells) and further regulates platelet's production. Eltrombopag works by increasing these large bone marrow cells responsible for the production of platelets. Thus, Eltrombopag helps increase these bone marrow cells, thereby stimulating the number of platelets, which further lowers the risk of bleeding.
Take Eltrombopag as prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, Eltrombopag can cause common side effects like nausea, diarrhoea, headache, muscle pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, fever, anaemia (lack of blood cells), cough and tingling numbness. These side effects are not familiar to everyone who take Eltrombopag and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to Eltrombopag or any other medicines, before starting Eltrombopag. It is essential to inform your doctor if you have any heart, kidney or liver problems, blood disorders, blood clotting problems and cataracts before starting Eltrombopag. It is advised to consult the doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive. Eltrombopag is not indicated for use in breastfeeding since it passes into the breast milk. Eltrombopag may make you dizzy, hence drive or operate machinery only when you are mentally alert.
Uses of Eltrombopag
Medicinal Benefits
Eltrombopag contains 'Eltrombopag,' which belongs to the class of 'thrombopoietin receptor agonists' used to treat low blood platelet count in patients with immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) in adults. Eltrombopag works by increasing megakaryocytes, the large bone marrow cells responsible for the production of platelets. The increase in these bone marrow cells stimulates the production of platelets. Thus Eltrombopag prevents bleeding episodes by increasing the number of platelets in the blood.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Eltrombopag
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Anaemia (lack of blood cells)
- Cough
- Tingling or numbness
Drug Warnings
If you are known to be allergic to Eltrombopag or other medicines, please inform your doctor in advance. Brief your medical history if you have blood clots, clotting disorders (Factor V Leiden), blood disorders like blood cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, cataracts, liver or kidney diseases before starting Eltrombopag. 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 is not recommended during pregnancy since it may have harmful effects on the foetus. Consult your doctor before using Eltrombopag if you are a breastfeeding mother. Do not drive or operate machinery since Eltrombopag may cause side effects like dizziness and tiredness, affecting your ability to concentrate and drive. Avoid or limit alcohol consumption with Eltrombopag as it may affect the efficacy of Eltrombopag. Eltrombopag is not recommended for children less than one year of age in ITP and children less than two years of age in SAA.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Eltrombopag may interact with antacids, cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), vitamin and mineral supplements (iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, selenium and zinc), anti-cancer drugs (methotrexate, topotecan), drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (ciclosporin, azathioprine), HIV/AIDS drugs (lopinavir, ritonavir), corticosteroids, and steroid hormones (danazol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Take Eltrombopag at least two hours before or four hours after consuming dairy products, calcium-enriched foods, and fortified juices since they interfere with the absorption of Eltrombopag.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People with blood clots, clotting disorders (Factor V Leiden), blood disorders like blood cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, cataracts, and liver or kidney diseases should consult the doctor before taking Eltrombopag.
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
cautionEltrombopag 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
- Eat natural and healthy foods by cutting down on fatty and sodium processed foods.
- Exercise regularly to maintain good health.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol intake.
- Avoid activities like contact sports and use sharp objects like nail cutters and razors to decrease bleeding risk.
- High protein diet such as lean meat, chicken, crab, turkey, beef and fish can help increase the platelet count.
- Eating Papaya is the best natural remedy to increase your platelet count, you can also use papaya leave's mixture.
- Include iron-rich foods like pomegranate, beetroot, green leafy vegetables, carrots, raisins, oranges, peanuts, kidney beans, and black-eyed peas in your diet.
- Vitamin C sources like guava, black currant, red pepper, kiwi, green peppers, orange, strawberries, pineapple, peas, mango, grapefruit and broccoli can also boost your platelet count.
Special Advise
- Keep a check on 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 due to hepatitis C virus. This virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. Acute hepatitis C is a short term illness that may range 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 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.
