Promacta oral

This medication is used to treat low platelet levels in people who have a certain blood disorder called chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) or who have chronic hepatitis C. It may also be used to treat people with a certain blood disorder (aplastic anemia). Platelets are a type of blood cell needed to form blood clots and prevent bleeding. Eltrombopag decreases your risk of bleeding by increasing the number of platelets. Eltrombopag acts like a certain natural substance (thrombopoietin) that causes the body to produce platelets.

How to use Promacta

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using eltrombopag and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Take on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.

Take this medication at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking any products that contain magnesium, aluminum, or calcium. Some examples include antacids, vitamins/minerals, quinapril, certain forms of didanosine (chewable/dispersible buffered tablets or pediatric oral solution), and sucralfate. Follow the same instructions with dairy products (such as milk, yogurt), calcium-enriched juice, bismuth subsalicylate, iron, selenium, and zinc. These products bind with eltrombopag, preventing its full absorption.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and laboratory tests. Your doctor will order blood tests (platelet counts) to find the right dose for you. Keep all medical/lab appointments. Follow your doctor's directions carefully. If you are of Asian descent or if you have liver problems, your doctor may direct you to start with a lower dose because you may be more sensitive to its effects.

Your risk of bleeding may increase when you stop using eltrombopag. After your last dose, your doctor should order a blood test once a week for at least 4 weeks to check your platelet count. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any bleeding/bruising.

Ask your doctor if you should continue taking your other medications for ITP (such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, danazol) while you are using eltrombopag.

Tell your doctor if your condition (bleeding/bruising) persists or worsens.

See also Warning section.

Nausea, diarrhea, headache, muscle pain, and tingling/numbness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: vision changes.

This medication may rarely cause serious problems from blood clots in the heart, brain, legs, or lungs (such as heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), especially if your platelet counts are too high. Keep all medical/lab test appointments. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: sudden shortness of breath, chest/jaw/left arm pain, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/legs, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems/changes.

Eltrombopag can commonly cause a rash that is usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Get medical help right away if you develop any rash.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using eltrombopag, 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: blood clots/clotting problems (such as Factor V Leiden), other blood disorders (such as blood cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome), certain eye problem (cataracts), liver disease.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

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. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also How to Use.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Eltrombopag can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include "statin" drugs (such as atorvastatin, fluvastatin, rosuvastatin), methotrexate, repaglinide, rifampin, among others.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Although this medication increases platelets and decreases the risk of bleeding, continue to avoid activities that can increase your risk of bleeding (such as contact sports, using sharp objects like razors and nail cutters).

This medication must be used under close medical supervision so that your doctor can monitor your blood counts. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood/platelet counts, eye exams) should be performed before you start treatment, weekly when first starting the drug, and then monthly to monitor your progress and check for side effects. See also Warnings section. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take more than 1 dose in 24 hours. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Different brands of this medication have differentstorage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.Information last revised May 2017. Copyright(c) 2017 First Databank, Inc.