Romiplostim Injection

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.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

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.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with romiplostim injection. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.

🔔 Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

🔔 What special precautions should I follow?

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.

🔔 What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.