What is romiplostim used for?
- Romiplostim is used to raise platelet counts.
- It is used to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
Before taking romiplostim, tell your doctor:
- If you are allergic to romiplostim; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take romiplostim.
This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take romiplostim with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take romiplostim?
For all patients taking romiplostim:
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take romiplostim. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Use care to prevent injury and avoid falls or crashes.
- Low platelet levels and a raised chance of bleeding may happen when romiplostim is stopped. If romiplostim is stopped, have your blood work checked for at least 2 weeks after stopping it. Talk with your doctor.
- This medicine may raise the chance of blood clots. This includes some forms of blood clots that spread to the lungs or that cause strokes or heart attacks. Talk with the doctor.
- This medicine is not for use in people with a certain bone marrow problem called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). If you have MDS and you take romiplostim, MDS may get worse and turn into a type of blood cancer called acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). If MDS turns into AML, you could die sooner from AML. If you have MDS, talk with your doctor.
- This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking romiplostim, call your doctor right away.
Children:
- If your child's weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of romiplostim may need to be changed.
How is romiplostim best taken?
Use romiplostim as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
What are the side effects of romiplostim that I need to call my doctor about immediately?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
- Swelling in the arms or legs.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Ear pain.
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.
What are some other side effects of romiplostim?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
For all patients taking romiplostim:
- Signs of a common cold.
- Mouth or throat pain or irritation.
- Stomach pain or diarrhea.
- Cough.
Adults:
- Dizziness or headache.
- Joint pain.
- Heartburn.
- Muscle pain or weakness.
- Shoulder pain.
- Pain in arms or legs.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
Children:
- Fever.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If overdose is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out romiplostim?
- If you need to store romiplostim at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
Consumer information use and disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time romiplostim is refilled. If you have any questions about romiplostim, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take romiplostim or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to romiplostim. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.
