Doptelet (avatrombopag) raises your platelet levels. It's used by adults who have chronic (long-term) liver disease (CLD) with low platelets before they undergo a procedure. It also treats adults who have low platelets due to chronic (long-term) immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when other medications haven't worked. This medication is convenient because it can be taken by mouth once daily, but it can be expensive since there is no lower-cost generic available.
Low platelet levels in adults with chronic liver disease (CLD) before a scheduled procedure
Low platelet levels in adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when other medications haven’t worked
Doptelet (avatrombopag) is a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist. TPO is a natural hormone that signals your body to make more platelets. By acting like TPO, Doptelet (avatrombopag) helps to raise your platelet levels. Platelets are blood cells that help your body form blood clots to prevent bleeding. When your platelet levels are low, you are at a higher risk for severe bleeding.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Available as an oral tablet which can be taken conveniently at home
No injection required
Taken once a day
Patient assistance is available for some people to help with medication cost
Must be taken with food
Need to get lab tests done (platelet levels) to check if the medication is working
Potential risk in pregnancy and not recommended in breastfeeding
Only available as a brand medication so it might be expensive
Take Doptelet (avatrombopag) with food. This is because your body absorbs the medication more consistently when taken with food.
Take Doptelet (avatrombopag) at the same time every day to make sure your body has a steady level. Set an alarm to help you remember.
If you’re taking Doptelet (avatrombopag) for CLD to prepare for a procedure, you must complete the full 5-day course without missing a dose. Missing a dose might cause your platelet levels to be lower than the goal set for your procedure. This means you might need to take another 5-day course of the medication and reschedule your procedure.
Your provider will check your platelet levels to make sure your dose of Doptelet (avatrombopag) is working. With CLD, your provider will check your platelet levels the day before and the day of your procedure. With ITP, your provider will check your platelet levels before you start and weekly until you reach your goal, then monthly thereafter.
Doptelet (avatrombopag) interacts with other medications. Some medications like rifampin (Rifadin) can cause Doptelet (avatrombopag) to not work as well. And other medications like fluconazole (Diflucan) and itraconazole (Sporanox) raise your risk for Doptelet (avatrombopag) side effects. Let your provider know about all medications you are taking because your starting dose of Doptelet (avatrombopag) might need to be changed.
Make sure you take Doptelet (avatrombopag) as prescribed by your provider. Stopping the medication can put you at a risk for bleeding. Signs and symptoms of bleeding include coughing up blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, blood in the urine, and bloody or dark tarry stools. Contact your provider immediately if you notice any of these signs.
Taking Doptelet (avatrombopag) can put you at risk for developing blood clots because it works by raising your platelet levels. Signs and symptoms of a blood clot include chest pain, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, and pain or tenderness in the legs. If you have any of these signs and symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency department right away.
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.
Risk Factors: Blood clotting conditions | History of blood clots | High platelet levels | Chronic liver disease (CLD) | Chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Because Doptelet (avatrombopag) helps to raise your platelet levels, it can put you at risk for blood clots. That’s why your provider will monitor your platelet levels to make sure they don’t get too high. Doptelet (avatrombopag) shouldn't be used to make your platelet levels normal. Your provider will monitor your platelet levels to make sure they are at their target goal.
Blood clots can occur anywhere in the body. One area they can occur is in the liver, where it’s called portal vein thrombosis. This is very rare and happened in less than 1% of people taking Doptelet (avatrombopag) in clinical studies. If you have abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, get medical help right away as these could be signs of a blood clot in your liver. Let your provider know if you have a history of blood clots or a blood condition as your risk for blood clots is higher. Signs and symptoms of other types of blood clots include chest pain, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, pain or swelling or tenderness in the leg. If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency department right away.
Doptelet (avatrombopag) is typically taken by mouth once daily with food. Your dose might be different depending on your condition, platelet levels, and other medications you take.
Chronic Liver Disease (CLD): You’ll start taking the medication 10 to 13 days before your scheduled procedure. The typical dose is 40 mg (2 tablets) or 60 mg (3 tablets) by mouth once daily with food for 5 days. You will finish your last dose 5 to 8 days before your procedure.
Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): The typical starting dosing is 20 mg tablet (1 tablet) by mouth once daily with food. The maximum dose is 40 mg once daily. Your provider might adjust your dose based on your platelet level.
Low platelet levels in adults with chronic liver disease (CLD) before a scheduled procedure
Low platelet levels in adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) when other medications haven’t worked
Treatment of low platelets in adults with long-term liver disease scheduled to undergo a procedure
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
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