Eltrombopag

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Alvaiz; Promacta

Brand Names: Canada

APO-Eltrombopag; Revolade

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to raise platelet counts.
• It is used to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
• It is used to treat aplastic anemia.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have a low platelet count caused by some other health problems.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this drug.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Do not stop taking this drug without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of very low platelets and bleeding. If you need to stop this drug, talk with your doctor.
• This drug may make cataracts worse or may raise the chance of new cataracts. Talk with the doctor.
• Have an eye exam as you have been told by your doctor.
• If you are of East- or Southeast Asian descent, talk with your doctor. You may need a lower starting dose of this drug.
• Blood clots have happened with this drug. Sometimes, blood clots like heart attack and stroke have been deadly. Talk with the doctor.
• Use care to prevent injury and avoid falls or crashes.
• This drug is not for use in people with a certain bone marrow problem called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). If you have MDS and you take this drug, MDS may get worse and turn into a type of blood cancer called acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). If MDS turns into AML, you could die sooner from AML. If you have MDS, talk with your doctor.
• This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• If you may become pregnant, you must use birth control while taking this drug and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation.
• Any bruising or bleeding while you take and after you stop taking this drug.
• Feeling confused.
• Swelling of belly.
• Swelling in the arms or legs.
• Fever or chills.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up.
• Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
• Cough.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Signs of a common cold.
• Muscle spasm.
• Nose or throat irritation.
• Mouth pain.
• Tooth pain.
• Change in color of skin.
• Pain in arms or legs.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All products:

• Take this drug without a meal or with a meal low in calcium.
• If you take certain other drugs, this drug may need to be taken at a different time. Take this drug at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after any foods or drinks high in calcium; antacids; or products that have calcium, iron, aluminum, magnesium, selenium, or zinc. Foods or drinks high in calcium include dairy products and some fruits, vegetables, and juices.

Tablets:

• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Do not mix with food or drinks.

Powder for suspension:

• Before using, be sure you know how to mix and measure the dose of this drug. Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• This drug comes with oral dosing syringes. Each syringe is for one use only. Throw syringe away after use. Do not use the same syringe more than one time.
• Mix powder with water only as you have been told.
• Do not use hot water to mix this drug.
• Take your dose within 30 minutes after mixing. Throw away any part not used within 30 minutes of mixing.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store in the original container at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-12-20

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