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Alvaiz vs. Promacta

Alvaiz (eltrombopag) is a prescription medication used to treat certain blood conditions that cause low platelet counts, such as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and severe aplastic anemia. It works like a natural hormone that helps your bone marrow to make more platelets. You usually take it once a day by mouth, and your prescriber will adjust the dose based on your platelet levels. Common side effects include nausea, fever, cough, and headache.

• Low platelet counts in people with long-term immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when other treatments haven’t worked - adults and children 6 years and older
• Low platelets counts in people with long-term hepatitis C to make it safe to use interferon treatment - adults only
• Severe aplastic anemia in people whose first immunosuppressive treatment didn't work - adults only

Long-term ITP (adults):

• Headache (10%)
• Nausea (9%)
• Diarrhea (9%)
• Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)
• Vomiting (6%)
• Muscle pain (5%)
• Cataract (5%)
• Feeling tired (5%)

Long-term ITP (children):

• Upper respiratory tract infection (17%)
• Common cold symptoms (12%)

Long-term hepatitis C:

• Low red blood cell count (40%)
• Fever (30%)
• Feeling tired (28%)
• Headache (21%)
• Nausea (19%)
• Diarrhea (19%)
• Reduced appetite (18%)
• Influenza symptoms (18%)
• Trouble sleeping (16%)
• Weakness (16%)

Severe aplastic anemia:

• Nausea (33%)
• Feeling tired (28%)
• Cough (23%)
• Diarrhea (21%)
• Headache (21%)

• Liver damage
• Blood clots
• Higher risk of death and cancer in people with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
• Cataracts

Promacta (eltrombopag) is an oral medication used to treat specific blood-related conditions like immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). It’s also used with other medications to raise platelet levels in people with long-term hepatitis C. Common side effects include nausea, fever, tiredness, and headache. Currently Promacta (eltrombopag) is a brand-name medication only, so generics aren't available on the market.

• Low platelet count in people with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) when other medications haven’t worked - adults and children
• Low platelet count in people with long-term hepatitis C - adults only
• Used alone or with other medications in people who can’t make enough blood cells (severe aplastic anemia) - adults and children

Long-term ITP and severe/refractory aplastic anemia:

• Nausea (4-33%)
• Fever (9-14%)
• Tiredness (5-28%)
• Cough (9-23%)
• Headache (10-21%)
• Diarrhea (9-21%)

The risk of developing these side effects depends on your dose.

Long-term hepatitis C:

• Low red blood cell levels (anemia) (40%)
• Fever (30%)
• Tiredness (28%)
• Headache (21%)
• Nausea (19%)
• Diarrhea (19%)

People with hepatitis C who reported side effects were also taking interferon and ribavirin together with Promacta (eltrombopag). All of the listed side effects for people with long-term hepatitis C might not be caused by Promacta (eltrombopag) alone.

• Liver damage
• Blood clots
• Higher risk of serious blood cancer and death in people with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
• Cataracts