Response with Promacta

[JBSS]

I wonder if there is anyone out here who went on remission with Promacta?

What’s the dose and what has been your experience with Promacta?

[prudencepayes]

Hi. I've been taking promacta (also called revolade and eltrombopag - it's exactly the same drug) for over a year now and it has been very effective for me. My ITP had become worrying with counts as low as 8 at times. My haematologist had tried many other treatments but none of them had a lasting effect. My starting dose was 50mg a day and within 3 weeks my platlet count was 384 - too high. So the dose was reduced to 25mg a day and then gradually reduced to 25mg 3 days a week. At one point it was felt that I was in remission, but when I was weaned off the drug completely my count fell to 18 so I am now back on 25mg 3 days a week. That keeps my count around 175. There has been a bit of concern if it creeps above 200 but we don't have a 12.5mg tablet available in the UK and taking a pill just twice a week leads to too much flunctuation in my counts. The 25mg tablet is not suitable for breaking in half. I have to say that this has been a life changing drug for me. I feel very well and much less anxious and restricted. Good luck !

[Teena1 in reply to prudencepayes]

Any side effect of this drug?

[Poetsister in reply to prudencepayes]

Hi there interesting to read about your dosage of eltrobopag. I too am on 25mg. tablet for two years. The same thing happened to me when they tried to wean me off the tablet, my platlets dropped like a stone so l am back on 25mg.tablet again but l suppose they will try to reduce the dosage again perhaps to every-other day. Great tablet for me which keeps me healthy and happy. Good luck with yours!

[prudencepayes in reply to Poetsister]

Thanks Poetsister

[JBSS in reply to prudencepayes]

Thank you for your response. I appreciate a detailed feedback back.

Iam as you g as 24 and I wonder if it will have an effect on my future child bearing capability? How about taking any oral contraceptives along with Promacta? Does it increases the risk of clots? Any insight?

[LifeafterITP]

I have been on Promacta (Eltrombopag) for 4 1/2 years. I started with 50mg/day with a count of 13, over the next 4 years my count did fluctuate but gradually got higher. Once it was consistently over 150 my dose was reduced to 25mg/day.

Have been on 25mg for 3 months now and my count has been 78 then 86, if it stabilises at this level I will be happy, if it gradually goes higher I will be even happier.

So no remission yet but Promacta (Eltrombopag) has allowed me to live a normal active life with no real side effects.

[JBSS in reply to LifeafterITP]

Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate your feedback and gives me some confidence. I have just started taking this pill yesterday. I will keep you posted about it’s effe on me.

Do you know if oral contraceptive pills can be taken along with it?

[LifeafterITP in reply to JBSS]

Good luck with the Promacta, I hope it is as effective with you as it is with me. Sorry I have no idea on its compatibility with other tablets, that's one you your doctor.

[JBSS in reply to LifeafterITP]

Now, I have been on Promacta 25 mg daily for two weeks. My counts were 5 K when I started Promacta two weeks ago. Now it’s 26 K.

My liver functions are fantastic.

I feel nauseous and tired . I struggle for energy. Not sure if it’s due to Promacta or low platelets itself or any other meds I am taking like oral contraceptives to stop excessive menstrual bleeding!

Any insight?

[LifeafterITP in reply to JBSS]

When I started Promacta my count was 13, after one week it was 52 after two weeks it was 140. It then settled down to the 80 - 90 range, I have never experienced nausea or exhaustion. I guess we are all different and you need to follow your doctors advise.

Good luck.