Doptelet: 7 things you should know

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 27, 2024.

1. How it works

• Doptelet is a brand (trade) name for avatrombopag which may be used to increase platelet levels and reduce the risk of bleeding in adults with chronic liver disease undergoing a scheduled medical or dental procedure. It may also be used for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (CIT).
• Doptelet works by stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocyte cells from bone marrow progenitor cells, resulting in an increased production of platelets. Doptelet does not compete with thrombopoietin (TPO), instead, it has an additive effect with TPO on platelet production.
• Doptelet belongs to the class of medicines known as thrombopoietin receptor agonists.

2. Upsides

• Doptelet may be used to increase the level of platelets in the blood, in patients that have low platelets levels (thrombocytopenia) with either chronic liver disease (CLD) and who are scheduled to undergo a procedure or who have chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and have not had a good response from another treatment.
• People with chronic liver disease who have low platelet counts have an increased risk of bleeding. Doptelet works to safely increase the platelet count and prevent excessive bleeding during the procedure.
• Taken orally (by mouth), once a day for 5 days. Doptelet needs to be started 10 to 13 days before the procedure. The dosage depends on the platelet count.
• Should be taken with food.

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

• Fever, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, fatigue, and edema in the legs and arms were the most common side effects reported in people with CLD.
• Headache, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), upper respiratory tract infection, joint pain, purple or red spots on your skin, and nasopharyngitis were the most common side effects reported in patients with ITP.
• Do not use Doptelet if you are allergic to avatrombopag.
• May be associated with blood clots (thrombotic and thromboembolic complications). Tell your doctor if you have ever had a blood clot, or a bleeding or blood clotting disorder other than thrombocytopenia. Your doctor will measure your platelet levels with a blood test before you start taking this medicine. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have: chest pain, shortness of breath; fast heartbeats; pain, swelling, or redness in one or both legs; stomach pain or tenderness; sudden fever or chills, yellowing of your skin or eyes; or bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Doptelet is not a cure for thrombocytopenia and it will not make your platelet counts normal in adults with chronic liver disease or chronic immune thrombocytopenia.
• It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby or pass into a mother's milk. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

• Doptelet may be used to increase the level of platelets in the blood, in patients with chronic liver disease scheduled to undergo a procedure. It is started 10 to 13 days before the procedure and the dosage is taken once a day for 5 days. It may also be given to adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have not had a good response from another treatment. Fever; easy bruising or bleeding; fatigue; headaches; joint pain; edema; and cold symptoms are the most common side effects reported.

5. Tips

• When given before a medical procedure in people with CLD, Doptelet is usually taken once daily for 5 days, beginning 10 to 13 days before your procedure. Carefully follow your doctor's dosing instructions about the timing of this medicine and the procedure. Each tablet is 20mg. You may need to take 2 or 3 tablets to get your correct dose. Your doctor will measure your platelet levels to determine your dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of the dose. You will only need to take the tablets for 5 days in a row. But you will need to start taking them 10 to 13 days before the procedure.
• If you are taking Doptelet to treat ITP, then it is taken once a day, every day, until your doctor tells you to stop. Your doctor will measure your platelet levels weekly to determine how long to treat you with Doptelet. You may also need blood tests for a few weeks after your last dose.
• Take each dose with food, once a day.
• Store your tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each tablet in the foil blister pack until you are ready to take a dose.
• It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. You should not breastfeed while using Doptelet, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

6. Response and effectiveness

• Doptelet avatrombopag can increase platelet levels over 10 to 13 days to reduce the risk of bruising and bleeding from procedures or surgeries.
• For patients with chronic liver disease who are scheduled to undergo a procedure, Doptelet should be started 10 to 13 days before the scheduled procedure.
• The duration of the Doptelet course is 5 days and the procedure should be done 5 to 8 days after the last dose of Doptelet.
• Doptelet is not a cure for thrombocytopenia and it will not make your platelet counts normal in adults with chronic liver disease or chronic immune thrombocytopenia.

7. Interactions

Other drugs may interact with Doptelet, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

• The dosage of Doptelet will need to be adjusted for patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia who also take moderate or strong dual CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampicin) or inhibitors (such as fluconazole). See the prescribing information for a complete list of interactions.

References

• Nomoto, M., Zamora, C. A., Schuck, E., Boyd, P., Chang, M. K., Aluri, J., Siu, Y. A., Lai, W. G., Yasuda, S., Ferry, J., & Rege, B. (2018). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions of avatrombopag when coadministered with dual or selective CYP2C9 and CYP3A interacting drugs. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 84(5), 952–960. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13517
• Doptelet Product Information. Revised 07/2021. https://doptelet.com/themes/pdf/prescribing-information.pdf

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Doptelet only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Copyright 1996-2024 Drugs.com. Revision date: March 11, 2024.

Medical Disclaimer