Description
Anagrelide Medication
Anagrelide Capsules are used for the treatment of patients with thrombocythemia, secondary to myeloproliferative neoplasms, to reduce the elevated platelet count and the risk of thrombosis and to ameliorate associated symptoms including thrombo-hemorrhagic events.
Dosage: The recommended starting dosage of anagrelide hydrochloride for adult patients is 0.5 mg for the four times in a day or 1mg twice daily. Pediatric Patients: The recommended starting dosage is 0.5 mg daily.
Titration: Take the starting dosage for at least 7 days and then titrate in order to reduce as well as maintain the platelet count below 600,000/µL, and ideally between 150,000/µL & 400,000/µL. The increment of doses should not exceed 0.5 mg/day in any 1 week. The anagrelide dosage may not be exceeded 10 mg/day or 2.5 mg in a single dose. Most patients have an adequate response at a dose of 1.5-3.0 mg/day.
Side Effects: The most commonly reported anagrelide side effects are:
- Back pain
- Cough
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Gas
- Malaise
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Tingling
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Digestive problems
- Whirling sensation
- Redness and itching of skin
Warnings and Precautions:
- During treatment with anagrelide 0.5 mg or 1 mg, monitor patients for cardiovascular effects and evaluate as necessary.
- Assess patients for signs/symptoms of underlying cardiopulmonary disease before initiating and during anagrelide therapy.
- Monitor patients with anagrelide 1 mg or 0.5 mg for bleeding, including those with concomitant therapy with other drugs known to cause bleeding (PDE3 inhibitors, anticoagulants, NSAIDs, antiplatelet agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
- The anagrelide uses should only be considered during pregnancy and breastfeeding if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus and breastfeeding child.
