adult chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) splenectomised patients who are refractory to other treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunoglobulins). As second line treatment for adult non splenectomised patients where surgery is contraindicated.

Eltrombopag is a small-molecule, nonpeptide thrombopoietin (TPO)-receptor agonist which triggers the cascade that induces the proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes from bone marrow progenitor cells in a dose dependent manner for the treatment of chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura.

Effect of food, high-fat/high-calcium meal: AUC decreased by 59%, Cmax decreased by 65%; highly plasma protein binding (> 99.9 %), predominantly to albumin. Absorbed eltrombopag is extensively metabolised. Excretion: faeces (59 %), Renal(31 % as metabolites).Elimination half-life: approximately 21-32 hours.

Hypersensitivity to eltrombopag or to any of the excipients.

C

Avoided.

Liver function tests abnormal, ALT increased, AST increased, Hyperbilirubinaemia, Headache, Paraesthesia, Nausea, Diarrhoea, Arthralgia, Myalgia, Muscle spasm, Bone pain.

Initial dose, 25 mg once daily. If the platelet count fails to increase after 4 weeks at the MAX dose( 75 mg/day) then discontinue eltrombopag; do no administer more than 1 dose of eltrombopag within any 24-hour period. Give 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, separate administration of eltrombopag and polyvalent cations (eg, iron, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, selenium, and zinc) by 4 hr.