Eltrombopag is used to treat thrombocytopenia (abnormally low platelet counts) and severe aplastic anemia.
It has been shown to be effective in two major clinical syndromes:
- idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- cirrhosis due to hepatitis C (in which low platelet counts may be a contraindication for interferon treatment).
After six weeks of therapy in a phase III trial, eltrombopag 50 mg/day was associated with a significantly higher response rate than placebo in adult patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
