Eltrombopag is an oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist that provides an effective treatment option for thrombocytopenia caused by various factors.
Has Eltrombopag Been Launched?
Eltrombopag (trade name: Revolade®) was officially launched in China in 2017 and has been successfully included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), significantly improving patient accessibility. In addition to the brand-name drug, several generic versions are available on the market. Patients can obtain the medication through public hospitals, authorized pharmacies, compliant online platforms, and professional medical institutions.
Indications for Eltrombopag
1. Primary Indication: Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Applicable to adults and children who have had an insufficient response to traditional treatments such as corticosteroids and immunoglobulins.
Patients requiring treatment for relapse following a splenectomy.
Applicable Age: Patients aged 1 year and older (dosage varies by age group).
2. Expanded Indication: Chronic Hepatitis C-Related Thrombocytopenia
Used to increase platelet counts to allow for the initiation and maintenance of interferon-based antiviral therapy.
Eltrombopag should be discontinued once antiviral therapy is completed.
Dosage and Administration
1. General Principles
Target Platelet Count: Maintain at ≥50 × 10⁹/L; normalization is not the goal.
Minimum Effective Dose: Use the lowest dose necessary to achieve the target platelet count.
Maximum Dose Limit: No more than 75 mg daily for ITP patients and 100 mg daily for Hepatitis C patients.
2. Initial Dosage Regimen (ITP)
Standard Adults and Children (≥6 years): 50 mg once daily.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment: 25 mg once daily.
Children (1–5 years): 25 mg once daily.
Precautions and Monitoring
1. Proper Administration
Timing: Take on a strictly empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal).
Spacing Requirements: Maintain an interval of at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after consuming foods or medications containing polyvalent cations (e.g., calcium, magnesium, iron).
Method: Swallow the tablet whole; do not chew, crush, or mix with food.
2. Safety Monitoring
Liver Function: Monitor ALT, AST, and total bilirubin at baseline and regularly during treatment. Increase monitoring frequency for patients with pre-existing liver impairment.
Platelet Monitoring: Continue monitoring platelet counts weekly for at least 4 weeks after discontinuation to prevent the risk of thrombosis caused by excessively high platelet levels.
