Doptelet
Doptelet (avatrombopag) is a prescription medication that helps the body make more platelets, which can lower the risk of bleeding. It’s used to treat low platelet levels in adults with chronic liver disease who are having a medical procedure and in adults and children with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). It comes as Doptelet tablets and Doptelet Sprinkle oral granules, both taken by mouth with a starting dose of once a day. Common side effects include headache, tiredness, and fever.
What is Doptelet (avatrombopag)?
What is Doptelet (avatrombopag) used for?
- Low platelet counts in people with chronic liver disease (CLD) who are scheduled for a medical procedure - adults only
- Low platelet counts in people with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when other treatments haven’t worked - adults and children 1 year and older
How Doptelet (avatrombopag) works
Doptelet (avatrombopag) is a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist, meaning it works like TPO. TPO is a natural hormone that signals your bone marrow to make more platelets, which help your blood clot and stop bleeding.
By acting like TPO, Doptelet (avatrombopag) helps raise your platelet levels and lower your risk of bleeding.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Doptelet, Doptelet Sprinkle |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Thrombopoietin receptor agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Doptelet (avatrombopag)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Adults with CLD before a procedure:
- Fever (10%)
- Stomach pain (7%)
- Nausea (7%)
- Headache (6%)
- Tiredness (4%)
- Swelling in the arms or legs(3%)
Adults with ITP:
- Headache (31%)
- Tiredness (28%)
- Bruising (26%)
- Nosebleed (19%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (15%)
- Joint pain (13%)
- Bleeding Gums (13%)
- Small red or purple spots on the skin (11%)
- Common cold symptoms (10%)
Children with ITP:
- Viral infection (20%)
- Common cold symptoms (20%)
- Cough (17%)
- Mouth and throat pain (13%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Allergic Reactions: itchy skin, rash, swelling of the face, swollen tongue, swelling of the throat, choking sensation
Doptelet (avatrombopag) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Blood clot in the liver: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea
- Other types of blood clots: legs (redness, pain, tenderness, swelling of the skin), lungs (cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain), heart attack (chest pain, pain in the arms or shoulders, pain in the neck or jaw), stroke (difficulty speaking, numbness on one side of the body, confusion)
The following Doptelet (avatrombopag) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Doptelet (avatrombopag)
Pros
- Helps raise platelet levels without a platelet transfusion
- Taken by mouth as a tablet or sprinkle capsule
- Approved for both adults and children
Cons
- Must be taken with food
- Requires regular platelet blood tests for ITP
- Not safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Doptelet (avatrombopag)
- Take Doptelet (avatrombopag) at the same time each day with food. Food helps your body absorb the medication more consistently.
- If you miss a dose of Doptelet (avatrombopag), take it as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the usual time the next day, and don't take 2 doses at once.
- Your care team will check your platelet levels to make sure your dose of Doptelet (avatrombopag) is working. With CLD, they'll check them the day before and the day of your procedure. With ITP, they'll check them before you start and weekly until you reach your goal, and then monthly.
- Tell your care team about all medications you take before starting Doptelet (avatrombopag). Medications such as rifampin, fluconazole, and itraconazole can affect how it works, so your starting dose might need to be changed.
- Take Doptelet (avatrombopag) as prescribed. Stopping treatment can cause your platelet levels to drop and raise your risk of bleeding, so contact your care team for coughing up blood, blood in your urine, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or bloody or black stools.
- Doptelet (avatrombopag) can raise your risk of blood clots because it increases your platelet levels. Get medical help right away if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, or pain, swelling, or tenderness in a leg.
- Pregnancy: Tell your prescriber if you're pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant while you're taking Doptelet (avatrombopag). There isn't enough information about its use during pregnancy, but animal studies suggest it could harm an unborn baby.
- Breastfeeding: Don't breastfeed while taking Doptelet (avatrombopag) or for at least 2 weeks after your last dose. You can pump and throw away your breast milk during this time if you want to maintain your milk supply.
How to prepare Doptelet Sprinkle
- Don’t swallow Doptelet Sprinkle capsules whole. Open the capsule and sprinkle all the granules onto a small amount of approved soft food or liquid.
- Mix the granules with applesauce, strawberry jelly, plain yogurt, milk, orange juice, unflavored pediatric electrolyte solution, or water. The granules might not dissolve completely, which is normal.
- Don't crush or chew the granules. Give the entire mixture right after preparing it to make sure the full dose is taken.
- After your child takes their dose, rinse the spoon or cup with a small amount of the same food or liquid and have them take that too. This helps make sure none of the medication is left behind.
- Prepare each dose right before it's needed. Don't prepare it ahead of time or save leftover mixture for later.
Risks and warnings for Doptelet (avatrombopag)
Doptelet (avatrombopag) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Blood Clots
- Risk Factors: Blood clotting conditions
Doptelet (avatrombopag) can raise your risk of serious blood clots because it increases your platelet levels. Blood clots can form in your veins or arteries and might lead to serious problems, such as a blood clot in the liver, heart attack, or stroke. Your risk might be higher if you have a condition that makes your blood more likely to clot.
Your care team will check your platelet levels regularly and adjust your dose to keep them within a safe range. Doptelet (avatrombopag) isn't meant to bring your platelet levels back to normal. Get medical help right away if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, or pain, swelling, or tenderness in a leg.
Doptelet (avatrombopag) dosage
Typical dosage for Doptelet (avatrombopag)
Chronic liver disease (CLD):
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 40 mg (2 tablets) or 60 mg (3 tablets) by mouth with food once a day for 5 days.
- You’ll start treatment 10 to 13 days before your scheduled procedure and take your last dose 5 to 8 days before the procedure.
- Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on your platelet levels.
ITP:
- Adults and children 6 years and older: The typical starting dose is 20 mg (1 tablet) by mouth with food once a day. The maximum dose is 40 mg (2 tablets) once a day.
- Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on your platelet levels.
- Your starting dose might be different if you take certain medications that interact with Doptelet (avatrombopag).
- Children ages 1 year to less than 6 years: The typical starting dose is 10 mg (content of 1 capsule) by mouth with food once a day. The maximum dose is 20 mg (content of 2 capsules) once a day.
- Your child's prescriber will adjust the dose based on their platelet levels.
- The starting dose might be different if your child takes certain medications that interact with Doptelet (avatrombopag).
What are alternatives to Doptelet (avatrombopag)?
Doptelet (avatrombopag) images
