Eltrombopag approved for thrombocytopenia in children

Further information
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Summary of Product Characteristics
Manufacturer: Novartis

Children aged one to five years should be given a lower starting dose of 25mg once daily, while those aged six and over can be administered the same starting dose as adults (50mg once daily). Doses should then be adjusted to the lowest possible dose to achieve and maintain a platelet count ≥50,000/microlitre.

Clinical studies showed, the safety profile of eltrombopag in children was similar to that observed in adults, with some additional common adverse effects such as upper respiratory tract infection, cough, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhoea, toothache and pyrexia.

Eltrombopag remains indicated for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C infection where thrombocytopenia prevents or limits optimal interferon-based therapy and for adults with acquired severe aplastic anaemia who are refractory to immunosuppressive therapy or heavily pretreated and unsuitable for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.