Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Thrombocytopenia medical therapy
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The treatment of thrombocytopenia depends on the underlying cause.
Treatment
Treatment
Supportive measures
- Platelet transfusion
Treatment of the underlying cause
- Viral
- Anti-viral medications
- Hydration and supportive measures
- Drug-induced
- Discontinuation of the offending agent
- Antidote for the offendating agents
- Thrombotic microangiopathy[1]
- Plasma exchange
- Fresh frozen plasma
- Sepsis
- Antibacterial agents
- Antiviral agents
- Antifungal agents
- Pseudothrombocytopenia
- Use of calcium citrate instead of EDTA during blood collection
- Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)
- Corticosteroids: These medications can take up to 48 hours to take effect. Steroids are first-line therapy for ITP. Adverse effects include infection, muscle loss, adipose deposition, cataracts, glaucoma, and Cushing’s syndrome.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin: This medication has an immediate effect, typically within hours. IV immunoglobulin is first-line therapy for ITP.
- Rituximab: This is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20 on B cells and eliminates antibody-producing B cells. It is used as second-line therapy. Adverse effects include infections, hepatitis B reactivation, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
- Fostamatinib: This is a spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor that functions by blocking signaling through the Fc receptor in B cells.[2] Adverse effects include hypertension, hepatotoxicity, diarrhea, and neutropenia.
- Eltrombopag: This is a TPO receptor agonist and is third-line therapy. Liver tests must be monitored while taking eltrombopag. It can cause thrombosis.
- Romiplostim: This is a TPO receptor agonist and is third-line therapy. It can cause thrombosis.
References
References
- ↑ Li QY, Yu F, Zhou FD, Zhao MH (2016). “Plasmapheresis Is Associated With Better Renal Outcomes in Lupus Nephritis Patients With Thrombotic Microangiopathy: A Case Series Study”. Medicine (Baltimore). 95 (18): e3595. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000003595. PMC 4863807. PMID 27149490.
- ↑ Baluom M, Grossbard EB, Mant T, Lau DT (2013). “Pharmacokinetics of fostamatinib, a spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor, in healthy human subjects following single and multiple oral dosing in three phase I studies”. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 76 (1): 78–88. doi:10.1111/bcp.12048. PMC 3703230. PMID 23190017.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2]