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Medications for Thrombocytopenia

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 29, 2024.

Treatments for thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels) include steroids (such as prednisone or dexamethasone [Dxevo]), immune globulin, avatrombopag (Doptelet), eltrombopag (AlvaizPromacta), romiplostim (Nplate), lusutrombopag (Mulpleta), fostamatinib (Tavalisse), or rituximab (Rituxan, Ruxience, Truxima).

  • Steroids, such as prednisone or dexamethasone [Dxevo], increase platelet levels by an unknown mechanism but should only be used short-term
  • Immune globulin temporarily increases platelets in about 80% of patients
  • Medications such as avatrombopag (Doptelet), eltrombopag (AlvaizPromacta), and romiplostim (Nplate) that help the bone marrow to make more platelets
  • Doptelet and lusutrombopag (Mulpleta) can also be given as a short course to adults with thrombocytopenia caused by chronic liver disease who are scheduled to undergo a medical or dental procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding.
  • Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) prevents antibody-mediated destruction of platelets and may be given to people with long-lasting ITP who haven't responded to other treatments
  • Imiglucerase (Cerezyme) is an enzyme-replacement treatment that will increase platelet levels in adults and children 2 years of age and older with Type 1 Gaucher disease
  • Other medications, such as rituximab (Rituxan, Ruxience, Truxima), help to increase platelets by reducing the immune system response that is damaging them.

Drugs used to treat Thrombocytopenia

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
prednisone 7.0 1 review for prednisone to treat Thrombocytopenia
Rx C N
Generic name:
prednisone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Promacta 5.0 3 reviews for Promacta to treat Thrombocytopenia
Rx C N
Generic name:
eltrombopag systemic
Drug class:
platelet-stimulating agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
dexamethasone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Brand names:
Dexamethasone Intensol, Dxevo, De-Sone LA
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
rituximab Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
rituximab systemic
Drug class:
antirheumatics, CD20 monoclonal antibodies
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
romiplostim Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
romiplostim systemic
Drug class:
platelet-stimulating agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
eltrombopag 5.0 3 reviews for eltrombopag to treat Thrombocytopenia
Rx C N
Generic name:
eltrombopag systemic
Brand names:
Promacta, Alvaiz
Drug class:
platelet-stimulating agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Doptelet 10 1 review for Doptelet to treat Thrombocytopenia
Rx N
Generic name:
avatrombopag systemic
Drug class:
platelet-stimulating agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cerezyme Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
imiglucerase systemic
Drug class:
lysosomal enzymes
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Dexamethasone Intensol Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
avatrombopag 10 1 review for avatrombopag to treat Thrombocytopenia
Rx N
Generic name:
avatrombopag systemic
Brand name:
Doptelet
Drug class:
platelet-stimulating agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Dxevo Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
imiglucerase Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
imiglucerase systemic
Brand name:
Cerezyme
Drug class:
lysosomal enzymes
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Mulpleta Rate Add review
Rx N
Generic name:
lusutrombopag systemic
Drug class:
platelet-stimulating agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
De-Sone LA Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
lusutrombopag Rate Add review
Rx N
Generic name:
lusutrombopag systemic
Brand name:
Mulpleta
Drug class:
platelet-stimulating agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Alvaiz Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
eltrombopag systemic
Drug class:
platelet-stimulating agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
fostamatinib Rate Add review
Rx N
Generic name:
fostamatinib systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous coagulation modifiers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Thrombocytopenia

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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