On Traditional ITP Therapy

Some treatments work by affecting the immune system

If you have been diagnosed with ITP and are on traditional ITP therapy, then you may be taking one of the several different medicines used to treat ITP. Common treatments include corticosteroids, anti-D, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). All of these work by affecting the immune system in different ways. They maintain platelet counts by attempting to prevent the immune system from destroying platelets. Corticosteroids are often the first treatment a patient receives for ITP. They can reduce the risk of bleeding and bruising by preventing platelet counts from dropping. However, healthcare providers usually keep patients on corticosteroids only for short periods because patients often cannot tolerate the side effects.¹

If corticosteroids and other drugs that suppress the immune system do not increase platelet counts enough to avoid symptoms, your healthcare provider may consider splenectomy (splen-echt-ta-me). A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen, which is an organ that is part of the immune system. In ITP, patients produce antibodies against their platelets. Platelets with antibodies on them are removed from the blood by the spleen. After your spleen is removed, platelets marked with antibodies stay in the blood longer. Many adult patients may achieve sustained platelet counts with treatments that affect the immune system, such as corticosteroids or splenectomy, but these treatments may increase the risk of having more serious infections.^2-4

Can I stop taking other ITP treatments when I take Nplate^®? Possibly.

• Among patients on other ITP treatments, 87% (20/23) of Nplate^® patients were able to receive lower doses of their other medicines, or even stop taking those medicines altogether, versus 38% (6/16) of placebo patients.⁵ Individual patient results may vary.

—Of patients who did not have a splenectomy on concurrent ITP treatments

• 36% (4/11) of Nplate^® patients versus 20% (2/10) of placebo patients were able to reduce corticosteroids or other concurrent ITP medications.⁶
• 36% (4/11) of Nplate^® patients versus 30% (3/10) of placebo patients were able to discontinue corticosteroids or other concurrent ITP medications.⁶

—Of patients who have had a splenectomy on other ITP treatments:

• 33% (4/12) of Nplate^® patients versus 17% (1/6) of placebo patients were able to reduce corticosteroids or other concurrent ITP medications.⁶
• 67% (8/12) of Nplate^® patients versus 0% (0/6) of placebo patients were able to discontinue corticosteroids or other concurrent ITP medications.⁶

Alternative therapies

As with all treatments, you should tell your healthcare provider about anything else that you are taking—not just prescribed medications, but also over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Ask your healthcare provider if these products can be taken with your prescribed medications.

Nplate^® is not like medications or therapies that suppress the immune system

Just like your body's own TPO, Nplate^® works on cells in the bone marrow—the part of your body that makes blood cells. When Nplate^® is given, the bone marrow produces more platelets, which may help reduce the risk of bruising and bleeding.^1,6,7

Learn more about Nplate^® and ITP

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