avatrombopag maleate at a glance
Medicine class
Thrombopoietin receptor agonist
Licensed users
Adults with specified forms of thrombocytopenia
Administration
Oral film-coated tablets taken with food
Supervision
Treatment is initiated and supervised by an experienced specialist
What is avatrombopag maleate used for?
Licensed uses in adults are:
Severe thrombocytopenia caused by chronic liver disease when an invasive procedure is planned.
Primary chronic immune thrombocytopenia that is refractory to other treatments, such as corticosteroids or immunoglobulins.
How does avatrombopag maleate work?
Avatrombopag activates thrombopoietin receptors on developing bone-marrow cells. This promotes the formation and maturation of megakaryocytes, which release platelets into the blood and can reduce bleeding risk associated with low platelet counts.
avatrombopag maleate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 20 mg
How to take avatrombopag maleate
Follow the specialist’s instructions and do not change treatment yourself.
Swallow the film-coated tablets whole with food.
Tell the clinical team about difficulty swallowing or an intolerance to lactose.
avatrombopag maleate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Fatigue; in chronic immune thrombocytopenia, headache is also very common.
- Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or wind.
- Back, muscle, joint or limb pain.
- Dizziness, headache or migraine.
- Rash, itching, acne or small red skin spots.
- Nosebleeds, breathlessness or increased blood pressure.
- Blood-test changes, including altered platelet count, anaemia, liver enzymes, blood fats or glucose.
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of a blood clot, including sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, one-sided leg swelling, stroke-like symptoms or severe upper abdominal pain.
- Swelling of the face or tongue, breathing difficulty or a severe widespread rash suggesting hypersensitivity.
- New or increased bleeding after treatment is stopped, because the platelet count can fall again.
avatrombopag maleate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are absent or limited. Avatrombopag is not recommended during pregnancy or for someone who could become pregnant and is not using contraception. Discuss pregnancy or pregnancy planning with the specialist prescriber.
avatrombopag maleate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether avatrombopag enters human milk, and a risk to the breastfed child cannot be excluded. The prescriber and patient should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against continued treatment.
avatrombopag maleate interactions
A complete medicines review is important before starting or changing avatrombopag.
Fluconazole and other moderate or strong CYP2C9/CYP3A4 inhibitors
May increase avatrombopag exposure, requiring closer platelet monitoring and specialist review in chronic immune thrombocytopenia.
Rifampicin, enzalutamide and other moderate or strong CYP2C9/CYP3A4 inducers
May reduce avatrombopag exposure and weaken the platelet response, requiring monitoring and specialist review.
Other treatments for immune thrombocytopenia
The combined effect can move platelet counts outside the intended range, so monitoring and treatment changes may be needed.
Common questions about avatrombopag maleate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is avatrombopag maleate the same as avatrombopag?
Avatrombopag maleate is the salt form used in the tablet; the labelled amount is expressed as the equivalent quantity of avatrombopag.
Is avatrombopag maleate a steroid?
No. It is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist that stimulates platelet production in bone marrow.
Does avatrombopag maleate cure immune thrombocytopenia?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.