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This page contains brief information about eltrombopag olamine and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s):		Promacta
FDA Approved:		Yes

Eltrombopag olamine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat thrombocytopenia (lower-than-normal number of cells in the blood that help blood clots to form). It is used in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a condition in which these blood-clotting cells are destroyed by the immune system. This condition is also called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Eltrombopag olamine is used in certain patients with ITP who have not gotten better with corticosteroids or immunoglobulins, or with surgery to remove the spleen.

FDA Approval for Eltrombopag Olamine ⁴ - Information from the FDA about the approval of this drug and the clinical trials that led to the approval.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁵ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Eltrombopag Olamine ⁶ - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Eltrombopag Olamine ⁷ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

A mass of blood that forms when blood platelets, proteins, and cells stick together. When a blood clot is attached to the wall of a blood vessel, it is called a thrombus. When it moves through the bloodstream and blocks the flow of blood in another part of the body, it is called an embolus.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time.

Any steroid hormone made in the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the adrenal gland). They are also made in the laboratory. Corticosteroids have many different effects in the body, and are used to treat many different conditions. They may be used as hormone replacement, to suppress the immune system, and to treat some side effects of cancer and its treatment. Corticosteroids are also used to treat certain lymphomas and lymphoid leukemias.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

Describes a disease of unknown cause.

The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.

A condition in which platelets (blood cells that cause blood clots to form) are destroyed by the immune system. The low platelet count causes easy bruising and bleeding, which may be seen as purple areas in the skin, mucous membranes, and outer linings of organs. Also called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and ITP.

A protein that acts as an antibody. Immunoglobulins are made by B cells and plasma cells. An immunoglobulin is a type of glycoprotein with two heavy chains and two light chains. Also called Ig.

An organ that is part of the lymphatic system. The spleen makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells. It is located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

A condition in which there is a lower-than-normal number of platelets in the blood. It may result in easy bruising and excessive bleeding from wounds or bleeding in mucous membranes and other tissues.