Uses
Romiplostim injection is used to increase the number of platelets (cells that help the blood to clot) in order to decrease the risk of bleeding in adults who have immune thrombocytopenia (ITP; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; an ongoing condition that may cause easy bruising or bleeding due to an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood). Romiplostim injection is also used to increase the number of platelets in order to decrease the risk of bleeding in children at least 1 year of age who have had ITP for at least 6 months. Romiplostim injection should only be used in adults and children 1 year of age or older who cannot be treated or have not been helped by other treatments, including other medications or surgery to remove the spleen. Romiplostim injection should not be used to treat people who have low platelet levels caused by myelodysplastic syndrome (a group of conditions in which the bone marrow produces blood cells that are misshapen and does not produce enough healthy blood cells) or any other conditions that cause low platelet levels other than ITP. Romiplostim injection is used to increase the number of platelets enough to lower the risk of bleeding, but it is not used to increase the number of platelets to a normal level. Romiplostim is in a class of medications called thrombopoietin receptor agonists. It works by causing the cells in the bone marrow to produce more platelets.
Romiplostim Injection Side Effects
Romiplostim injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- joint or muscle pain
- pain in the arms, legs, or shoulders
- numbness, burning or tingling in the arms or legs
- stomach pain
- heartburn
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- runny nose, congestion, cough, or other cold symptoms
- mouth or throat pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- bleeding
- bruising
- swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth or redness in one leg
- shortness of breath
- coughing up blood
- fast heartbeat
- fast breathing
- pain when breathing deeply
- pain in the chest, arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- breaking out in cold sweat
- nausea
- lightheadedness
- slow or difficult speech
- dizziness or faintness
- weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
Romiplostim injection may cause changes in your bone marrow. These changes may cause your bone marrow to make fewer blood cells or to make abnormal blood cells. These blood problems may be life-threatening.
Romiplostim injection may cause your platelet level to increase too much. This may increase the risk that you will develop a blood clot, which may spread to the lungs, or cause a heart attack or a stroke. Your doctor will monitor your platelet level carefully during your treatment with romiplostim injection.
After your treatment with romiplostim injection ends, your platelet level may drop lower than it was before you began your treatment with romiplostim injection. This increases the risk that you will experience bleeding problems. Your doctor will monitor you carefully for 2 weeks after your treatment ends. If you have any unusual bruising or bleeding, tell your doctor immediately.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving romiplostim injection.
Romiplostim injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving romiplostim injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to romiplostim injection or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cilostazol (Pletal); clopidogrel (Plavix); dipyridamole (Aggrenox); heparin; and ticlopidine (Ticlid). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with romiplostim, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a blood clot, bleeding problems, any type of cancer that affects your blood cells, myelodysplastic syndrome (a condition in which the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells and there is a risk that cancer of the blood cells may develop), any other condition that affects your bone marrow, or liver disease. Also, tell your doctor if you have had your spleen removed.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while receiving romiplostim injection, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breast-feed during your treatment with romiplostim injection.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving romiplostim injection.
- continue to avoid activities that may cause injury and bleeding during your treatment with romiplostim injection. Romiplostim injection is given to decrease the risk that you will experience severe bleeding, but there is still a risk that bleeding may occur.
Dosage Of Romiplostim Injection
Romiplostim injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office. It is usually injected once a week.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of romiplostim injection and adjust your dose, not more than once every week. At the beginning of your treatment, your doctor will order a blood test to check your platelet level once every week. Your doctor may increase your dose if your platelet level is too low. If your platelet level is too high, your doctor may decrease your dose or may not give you the medication at all. After your treatment has continued for some time and your doctor has found the dose that works for you, your platelet level will be checked once every month. Your platelet level will also be checked for at least 2 weeks after you finish your treatment with romiplostim injection.
Romiplostim injection does not work for everybody. If your platelet level does not increase enough after you have received romiplostim injection for some time, your doctor will stop giving you the medication. Your doctor may also order blood tests to find out why romiplostim injection did not work for you.
Romiplostim injection controls ITP but does not cure it. Continue to keep appointments to receive romiplostim injection even if you feel well.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to romiplostim injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
