Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is a condition in which there is an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood, and this medication is used to treat it. Platelets are a type of blood cell that help stop bleeding by clotting blood. By increasing the number of platelets in the blood, romiplostim lowers the risk of bleeding. Those whose platelet production has been severely hampered by prolonged exposure to high radiation levels are also prescribed romiplostim. To stimulate the production of platelets, romiplostim mimics the action of a naturally occurring substance called thrombopoietin.
How to use Nplate Vial
Before beginning treatment with romiplostim and at each refill, carefully read the Medication Guide issued by your pharmacist. Those with questions should consult their pharmacists or doctors.
Once weekly, a doctor or nurse injects this medicine just under the skin.
Your disease, weight, and treatment response all play a role in determining your individual dosage. Your doctor will request blood tests (platelet counts) to determine the appropriate dosage. Please remember to keep all doctors and lab appointments.
The discontinuation of romiplostim may raise your risk of bleeding. After stopping treatment, the recommended schedule for blood testing is once per week for two complete dosage cycles. If you start bleeding or bruising, you should see a doctor immediately.
Long-term usage of this drug may reduce its effectiveness and necessitate adjustments to the recommended dosage. If your doctor notices a decline in the efficacy of this treatment, he or she should be consulted.
If your issue (bleeding/bruising) persists or worsens, you should consult your doctor.
Side Effects
Nplate has the potential to generate adverse effects similar to those of other pharmaceuticals. Some of the potential adverse reactions of Nplate are listed below. Possible adverse reactions are not included in these summaries.
Remember that a drug’s adverse effects can change depending on the following:
- Your current age
- further health issues
- Medication outside what you’re already on
Your doctor or pharmacist can discuss possible adverse reactions to Nplate in greater detail. They may also offer advice on how to lessen unpleasant effects.
Mild side effects
Here is a brief summary of some less plate severe adverse effects. Other side effects of Nplate can be discussed with your healthcare provider or pharmacist or read about in the drug’s dosage guide.
Nplate has been reported to cause the following mild side effects:
- dizziness*
- discomfort in your muscles and joints
- Trouble falling asleep
- The ache in the Stomach
- distressing nausea and vomiting
- Skin that is tingling, stinging, or numb
The adverse effects of Nplate in children may vary from those in adults. Possible pediatric adverse effects include:
- A disease of the nose or throat
- Discomfort in the mouth and throat
- bruising
Many medications have mild side effects that often fade from a few days to a few weeks. In any case, if they become intolerable, consult your physician or local pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Even though severe adverse reactions to Nplate are uncommon, they do happen. Get medical help right away if Nplate causes any severe adverse effects. On the other hand, if you feel you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should dial 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Some of the more serious adverse reactions to Nplate include:
- the risk of developing a blood clot, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke*
- reduced sensitivity to Nplate*
- The side effect highlighted here is an allergic response, which is explained in more detail in the next section.
Side effect focus
Find out more about the potential adverse effects of Nplate.
Long-term side effects
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) treatment with Nplate may require ongoing use. (Autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by a platelet deficiency.)
Scientific evidence suggests that long-term use of Nplate is safe. In trials, long-term medicine use was not associated with increased bone marrow and blood coagulation problems.
What could be useful
Get in touch with your doctor or pharmacist if you need to use Nplate for an extended period but are worried about potential side effects. They know the possible side effects of Nplate treatment and can converse with you about them.
Joint and muscle pain
Some persons treated with Nplate had muscle and joint pain in tests. It turned out that these were quite typical adverse reactions to the medication.
Joint and muscular pain were often mild to severe. Also, they did not get any worse with time.
What could be useful
Consult a medical professional if Nplate causes you to experience any sort of joint or muscular pain. If you’re in pain, they might suggest some over-the-counter drugs or natural therapies.
Feeling dizzy
When taking Nplate, you could experience dizziness.
Take note of when and how long you feel dizzy after taking Nplate. If you feel faint, it’s best not to drive or use machinery.
What could be useful
Tell your doctor if your dizziness is interfering with your daily life. They might provide strategies for dealing with your vertigo. Potential adverse reactions are not included here. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any side effects that were not mentioned above.
Precautions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to romiplostim or if you have any other allergies before using this medication. The product’s inactive chemicals could trigger allergic reactions or other complications; use them at your own risk. For more information, consult your pharmacy.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have ever had: blood clots, other blood diseases (including blood cancer or myelodysplastic syndrome), or liver illness before taking this drug.
There is a chance that this drug could make you dizzy. The results of alcohol and cannabis (marijuana) on vertigo are amplified. Don’t get behind the wheel, operate heavy machinery, or engage in any activity that requires total concentration until you’ve had enough time to recover. Drop the booze intake. Consult your physician if you smoke marijuana (cannabis).
Make sure your surgeon knows any medications or supplements you take before surgery (including prescription, nonprescription, and herbal products).
This drug should be taken sparingly during pregnancy. A fetus in utero could be harmed. Talk to your doctor about the potential downsides and upsides.
Talk to your doctor or local pharmacy about this.
Interactions
Drug interactions can alter the effectiveness of your prescriptions or raise your risk of adverse consequences. Not every drug-to-drug interaction is included here. Share with your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all the goods you use, including any and all medications, vitamins, and supplements. Never adjust the dose or stop taking a medication without seeing your doctor.
Overdose
Overdose can cause dangerous side effects such as loss of consciousness and difficulty breathing; emergency services should be contacted immediately in these cases. When in doubt, contact a poison control center. The number to call for poison control in the United States is 1-800-222-1222. Calling a provincial poison control center in Canada is an option.
Blood clot symptoms include pain, swelling, and warmth in the groin or calf, sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness or fainting, discomfort in the chest, jaw, or left arm, trouble speaking, weakness on one side of the body, and changes in eyesight.
- Notes
The patient’s blood count must be closely monitored while using this medicine. Pre-treatment blood and platelet counts and weekly tests during the first month of treatment are recommended to screen for side effects and track treatment efficacy. For further information, please see your physician.
- Missed Dose
You should consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a revised dosing plan if you miss a dose.
- Storage
That’s not the case. As a result, this medication will not be kept at home but instead administered in a medical facility or physician’s office.
What should be considered before receiving Nplate?
If you and your doctor are thinking about Nplate treatment, it’s crucial to discuss the following.
The general condition of your health, any illnesses or injuries you may have
If you’re already on any other drugs, let your doctor know. This is significant since some medications can inhibit Nplate’s function. All of these and more are things that you should bring up with your doctor.
Interactions
The effectiveness of a drug can be altered by combining it with other substances, such as another medication, vaccine, diet, or even an entirely different cure. We term these mutual influences “interactions.”
Don’t forget to tell your doctor about any other medications you’re taking, both prescription and over-the-counter, before starting Nplate. If you take any supplements, including vitamins, herbs, or others, please list them. Find out if these substances interact with Nplate by asking your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions with drugs or supplements
Nplate has not been shown to have any negative medication interactions to date. Still, checking with a medical professional or pharmacist before taking any new drug is best.
Warnings
If you have a preexisting medical condition or are taking other medications, Nplate may not be safe or effective. Before starting Nplate, discuss your medical history with your doctor. The following are some considerations.
Blood clots. The ability to form blood clots will increase due to Nplate treatment, as the body will begin producing more platelets. (Platelets aid in clotting by clumping together when blood is injured.) However, excessive clotting can be harmful. The possibility of a stroke or heart attack is raised. The optimal platelet count to minimize bleeding and clotting risks has not been determined. If you are receiving Nplate treatment, discuss the possibility of blood clots with your doctor.
Myelodysplastic syndromes. Myelodysplastic syndrome patients must avoid taking Nplate (MDS). A collection of diseases known as MDS leads to dysfunctional bone marrow and blood cells. Anemia (a drop in red blood cells), bleeding, bruising, and exhaustion are all symptoms of MDS (lack of energy). Taking Nplate while suffering from MDS can increase your risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Nplate isn’t used for thrombocytopenia (low platelet level) caused by certain conditions, such as MDS. Instead, it’s only used for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), which is thrombocytopenia that’s caused by your immune system.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nplate or its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Nplate. You should consult your doctor about alternate treatment alternatives.
Loss of response to Nplate. Some people’s condition may not improve or maintain the improvement with Nplate treatment. In some cases, the cause may be their immune system inactivating Nplate. And this can lead to severe thrombocytopenia (shallow platelet level) (external platelet level). If Nplate isn’t working for your condition, your doctor may order specific blood tests to determine if Nplate is right for you.
Use with alcohol
Some medications interact with alcohol. But Nplate isn’t one of them. However, before starting Nplate, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe to drink alcohol while taking this drug.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The safety of Nplate use during pregnancy has not been established. Animal research has shown dangers to pregnancy, but human studies have not. But animal studies don’t always show what happens to people.
Nplate may cause harm if used during pregnancy. So, if you become pregnant while receiving Nplate, talk with your doctor immediately.
Like during pregnancy, there is a lack of data on Nplate’s impact on breastfeeding. However, there is a chance that the medicine is unsafe to use. Consequently, if you’re taking Nplate, you shouldn’t breastfeed.