All you need to know about Eltrombopag

 What is eltrombopag? 

Eltrombopag specifically is an oral thrombopoietin-receptor (TPO-R) agonist, used for the treatment of chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients aged one year and older, who are refractory to certain treatments such as corticosteroids, immunoglobulins.

How does eltrombopag work?

The revolade eltrombopag acts in order to boost the platelet production for managing the levels of haemostatic platelets by binding to the transmembrane domain of the thrombopoietin-receptor. This helps for stimulating the differentiation as well as proliferation of cells in the megakaryocyte lineage.

Dosing: Eltrombopag is a once-daily oral therapy, and should be taken at the same time every day. The recommended starting eltrombopag dose is 50 mg in most patients.

For paediatric patients aged 1 to 5 years, eltrombopag comes as a 25 mg sachet of powder for the oral suspension.

Possible Side Effects: Patients should be informed about the most commonly observed eltrombopag side effects, such as: 

• Chills
• Headache 
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Anaemia
• Insomnia
• Cough
• Alopecia
• Pruritus
• Myalgia
• Pyrexia
• Fatigue
• Asthenia
• Influenza like illness
• Peripheral oedema
• Decreased appetite

In paediatric patients with revolade, some most commonly observed side effects may include:

• Rash
• Cough
• Pyrexia
• Rhinitis
• Diarrhea
• Toothache
• Rhinorrhoea
• Abdominal pain 
• Nasopharyngitis
• Oropharyngeal pain
• Abnormal liver values
• Upper respiratory tract infection

Warnings and Precautions: Inform your doctor in case:

• you have liver problems. You will be monitored closely while you are taking eltrombopag 25 mg.
• you're at risk of having a blood clot in the veins or arteries, or any member in your family has had a blood clot, or if you have chronic liver disease. 
• you have a bone marrow problem, including a blood cancer such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or myelofibrosis. 
• you're pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan to get pregnant
• you're breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. 
• you're taking or planning to take any other medicine with eltrombopag tablets. This includes antacids, statins, lopinavir or ritonavir, topotecan or methotrexate, anticoagulants or antiplatelet therapy, corticosteroids, danazol, and azathioprine. 

Who should not take Eltrombopag? 

• The eltrombopag uses is not recommended:
• In infants less than aged one year. 
• In female patients of childbearing potential and during pregnancy. 
• In ITP patients who are with hepatic impairment. 
• In those patients who are allergic to this drug or any of its ingredients. 

Things to know when taking Eltrombopag Tablets:

• Do not take eltrombopag with foods, drinks, or other medicines containing high concentrations of iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, aluminium.
• You must consume eltrombopag 50 mg at least a couple hours prior to or 4 hours following certain foods, drinks or drugs. 
• Your healthcare practitioner will inform you what is the appropriate dose for you. On behalf of how you respond to treatment.
• In case you need to consume more than 1 tablet, consume them at the same time orally with water. 

How to store Eltrombopag? 

For storing eltrombopag, does not require any specific conditions, but it should be placed out of the reach of children. Do not use this medicine following the expiry date mentioned on the pack.

How much does eltrombopag cost?

In India, the eltrombopag price is quite reasonable. Price of revolade 50 mg and 25 mg for a single strip of 7 tablets is around 14434 INR & 6837 INR respectively. 

NOTE: The piece of information provided in this article is just for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis, of a qualified healthcare practitioner.