Anagrelide-oral

Anagrelide is used to treat a certain blood disorder (thrombocythemia), which is caused by your bone marrow making too many platelets. Platelets are a blood cell that the body uses to form blood clots. Too many platelets can cause problems with your circulation, including unwanted blood clots and bleeding problems. This drug reduces the number of platelets in the bloodstream by blocking their production.

How to use Anagrelide HCL

This medicine may come with a Patient Information Leaflet. Read it carefully if available. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2 or 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Children or people with liver problems may start out by taking only 1 dose each day. Your doctor will adjust your dose, usually once a week, to find the best dose for you that keeps your blood counts closer to normal. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. You should not take more than 2.5 milligrams in a single dose or more than a total of 10 milligrams in a day.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. People with high platelets may not feel sick. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Stopping anagrelide will cause your platelets to go back up.

Your doctor will check your blood counts regularly to monitor your progress and adjust your dose.

Before taking anagrelide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (e.g., heart attack, irregular heartbeat), lung problems, kidney problems, liver problems.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Anagrelide may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using anagrelide, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).

Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using anagrelide safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.