Type of medicine: thrombopoietin receptor agonist; platelet producer
Generic and brand names: eltrombopag, oral; Promacta
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat thrombocytopenia (too few platelets in your blood) in people with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). You must be enrolled in a special program before you can receive this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you are of Asian ancestry. You may need a dosage adjustment. Tell your healthcare provider all prescription and nonprescription medicines you take.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine before you start taking it and each time you get a refill.
Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Do not change your dose or schedule for taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you to change it. Taking too much of this medicine will increase the chances of side effects.
Take this medicine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Take this medicine at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after eating dairy products or foods, antacids, or supplements that contain iron, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, selenium, or zinc.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take more than one dose in one day. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: rash; slow heartbeat; unusual tiredness; yellowing of skin or eyes; shortness of breath that gets worse; chest pain; sudden weakness, numbness, slurred speech, confusion, blurred vision or eye pain; severe headache; new swelling or pain in your legs.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you while you take it and for at least 4 weeks after you stop taking it. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine may cause liver damage. If while taking this medicine you develop weakness, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting, unusual darkening of urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may worsen blood cancer or cause changes in your bone marrow. Talk with your provider about this.
You may have a higher chance of getting a blood clot. After you stop taking this medicine, you may experience a worsening of thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count) and an increased risk of bleeding, especially if you are taking other medicines to prevent blood clots such as warfarin (Coumadin). This is most likely to happen within 4 weeks after stopping this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Report any unusual bleeding or bruising (bleeding gum, nosebleed, blood in urine or stools) to your healthcare provider.
You may need to avoid certain sports or activities that may increase your risk of bleeding. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away: Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Shortness of breath that gets worse; chest pain; sudden weakness, numbness, slurred speech, confusion, blurred vision or eye pain; severe headache; new swelling or pain in your legs; unusual bleeding or bruising, blood in the urine, or bloody bowel movements; unusual tiredness; yellowing of eyes or skin; dark urine; sudden stomach pain.
Other: Muscle aches, headache, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, heavy or longer than normal menstrual periods.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Take this medicine at least 4 hours apart from foods, antacids, or supplements that contain iron, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, selenium, or zinc.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
