Similar to thrombopoietin (TPO), a natural protein in the body, Nplate stimulates the TPO receptor, increasing bone marrow growth. This produces more platelets, which is the desired effect; however it may also cause unwanted changes in bone marrow like fibrosis. Bone marrow fibrosis (myelofibrosis) is a disorder where bone marrow is replaced with fibrous scar tissue and impairs the ability to generate new blood cells. As this happens, red and white blood cells decrease as well as the platelet count. Myelofibrosis has no known cure and eventually leads to bone marrow failure and life-threatening blood problems.
As platelet counts increase, there is also an increased risk that blood clots may form in the heart, lungs, or brain which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, if you are already taking Nplate and decide to stop treatment, you may be at a higher risk of bleeding than before you started taking Nplate. This is because your platelet count may drop below the level it was before starting Nplate treatment.
Further studies show that Nplate should not be used in patients who have blood cancer or have a precancerous blood condition called myelodysplasia because it can increase the risk of developing leukemia and other blood-related disorders.
The more common side effects of Nplate include the following:
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Muscle tenderness or weakness
- Pain in arms and legs
- Abdominal pain
- Shoulder pain
- Indigestion
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
Do you have chronic ITP? Do you have experience with Nplate? Have you found any alternative treatments? Share your experiences!
1 Post A Comment:
I think this drug can potentially help people who have chronic conditions, but only if they really need it. Otherwise, I would wait until it has been around for a while.
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