Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient
Eltrombopag Olpha 12.5 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Eltrombopag Olpha 25 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Eltrombopag Olpha 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Eltrombopag Olpha 75 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Contents of the pack
Eltrombopag Olpha contains eltrombopag, which belongs to a group of medicines called thrombopoietin receptor agonists, used to help increase the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are cells in the blood that help reduce or prevent bleeding.
Eltrombopag is used to treat a blood disorder called immune thrombocytopenia (primary) (ITP) in patients over 1 year of age who have already taken other medicines (corticosteroids or immunoglobulins) that have not worked.
ITP is caused by a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). People with ITP have a higher risk of bleeding. Symptoms that patients with ITP may notice are petechiae (small, round, flat red spots under the skin), bruises, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and inability to control bleeding if they cut or injure themselves.
Eltrombopag may also be used to treat low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) in adults with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, in case they have had problems with the side effects of interferon treatment. Many people with hepatitis C have low platelet counts, not only due to the disease but also due to the antiviral treatments used to treat it. Taking Eltrombopag may help you complete the cycle with antivirals (peginterferon and ribavirin).
Do not take Eltrombopag Olpha
(listed in section 6 under the heading “Composition of Eltrombopag Olpha”).
Consult your doctor if you think this may affect you.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor before starting to take Eltrombopag:
The risk of having a blood clot may be higher in the following circumstances:
If you are in any of these situations, inform your doctor before starting treatment. You should not take eltrombopag unless your doctor considers that the expected benefit outweighs the risk of having clots.
Tell your doctor if you are in any of these situations.
Eye exams
Your doctor will recommend that you have an eye exam to check for cataracts. If you do not have regular eye exams, your doctor will ask you to have them. They should also examine your retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) to see if there is bleeding in the retina or around it.
You will need to have regular blood tests
Before you start taking eltrombopag, your doctor will perform a blood test to check your blood cells, including platelets. These tests will be repeated frequently while you are taking the medicine.
Blood tests to check liver function
Eltrombopag may cause changes in your blood test results that indicate liver damage - an increase in some liver enzymes, especially bilirubin and alanine/aspartate transaminase. If you are taking interferon, basic treatment along with eltrombopag to treat low platelet counts due to hepatitis C, some liver problems may worsen.
You will have blood tests before starting to take eltrombopag and frequently while taking it to check your liver function. It may be necessary to interrupt treatment with eltrombopag if the levels of these markers increase too much or if you have any other sign of liver damage.
Read the information “Liver problems” in section 4 of this leaflet.
Blood tests for platelet count
If you stop taking eltrombopag, it is likely that, within a few days, you will again have low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Your platelet counts will be monitored and your doctor will tell you what precautions to take.
Very high platelet counts may increase the risk of blood clots. However, clots can also form with normal or even low platelet counts. Your doctor will adjust the dose of eltrombopag to ensure that your platelet count does not become too high.
Seek medical help immediately if you have any of these signs of a blood clot:
Tests to examine your bone marrow
In people with bone marrow disorders, medicines like eltrombopag may worsen the disorders. Signs of changes in the bone marrow may appear as abnormal results in your blood tests. Your doctor may also perform tests to directly check your bone marrow during treatment with eltrombopag.
Review of gastrointestinal bleeding
If you are taking interferon, basic treatment along with eltrombopag, you will be monitored for any signs of bleeding in your stomach or intestine after you stop taking this medicine.
Heart monitoring
Your doctor may consider monitoring your heart while you are taking eltrombopag using an electrocardiogram (ECG) if necessary.
Elderly people (65 years and over)
There is limited data on the use of eltrombopag in patients 65 years of age or older. If you are 65 or older, you should be cautious when using eltrombopag.
Children and adolescents
Eltrombopag is not recommended for use in children under 1 year of age with ITP. It is also not recommended in children under 18 years of age with low platelet counts due to hepatitis C.
Other medicines and Eltrombopag Olpha
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and vitamins.
Some commonly used medicines may interact with eltrombopag (including prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, and minerals). These include:
Consult your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines. Some should not be taken with eltrombopag; it may be necessary to adjust the dose or change the times when you take them. Your doctor will review the medicines you are taking and recommend alternatives if necessary.
If you are also taking medicines to prevent blood clots, there is a higher risk of bleeding. Your doctor will discuss this with you.
If you are taking corticosteroids, danazol, and/or azathioprine along with eltrombopag, it may be necessary to reduce the dose or interrupt treatment with these medicines.
Taking Eltrombopag Olpha with food and drinks
Do not take eltrombopag with food or dairy products, as the calcium in dairy products affects the absorption of the medicine. For more information, see section 3, “When to take it”.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take eltrombopag if you are pregnant unless your doctor specifically recommends it. The effect of eltrombopag during pregnancy is not known.
Do not breastfeed while taking eltrombopag. It is not known whether eltrombopag passes into breast milk.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, inform your doctor.
Driving and using machines
Eltrombopag may cause dizziness and have other side effects that may make you less alert.
Do not drive or use machines unless you are sure that eltrombopag does not affect you.
Eltrombopag Olpha contains isomalt and sodium
If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per tablet; this is essentially “sodium-free”.
Follow exactly the instructions for administration of this medicine given by your doctor. In case of doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not change the dose or treatment schedule with eltrombopag unless your doctor or pharmacist advises you to do so. While taking eltrombopag, you will be under the supervision of a specialist doctor with experience in treating your disease.
How much to take
For ITP
Adults and children (6 to 17 years) - the usual initial dose for ITP is one 50 mg eltrombopag tablet per day.
If you are of East or Southeast Asian descent, you may need to start treatment with a lower dose of 25 mg.
Children (1 to 5 years) - the usual initial dose for ITP is one 25 mg eltrombopag tablet per day.
For Hepatitis C
Adults - the usual initial dose for hepatitis C is one 25 mg eltrombopag tablet per day. If you are of East or Southeast Asian descent, start treatment with the same dose of 25 mg.
Eltrombopag may take 1 to 2 weeks to take effect. Depending on your response to eltrombopag, your doctor may recommend changing your daily dose.
How to take the tablets
Swallow the tablet whole, with water
When to take it
Make sure that
you do not consume any of the following:
If you do, your body will not absorb the medicine properly.
For more information on which foods and drinks are suitable, consult your doctor.
If you take more Eltrombopag Olpha than you should
Consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If possible, show them the pack or this leaflet. You will be monitored for signs or symptoms of side effects and given the appropriate treatment immediately.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20.
If you forget to take Eltrombopag Olpha
Take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take more than one dose of eltrombopag in a day.
If you stop taking Eltrombopag Olpha
Do not stop taking eltrombopag without first consulting your doctor. If your doctor advises you to stop treatment, your platelet counts will be monitored every week for four weeks. See also “Bleeding or bruising after stopping treatment” in section 4.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.
Symptoms to which you need to pay attention: consult your doctor
People taking eltrombopag for both ITP and low platelet counts associated with hepatitis C may exhibit signs related to potential serious adverse effects.
It is essential that you inform your doctor if you develop symptoms.
Increased risk of thrombosis
Some people may have an increased risk of having a thrombus, and medications like eltrombopag may worsen this problem. The sudden blockage of a blood vessel by a thrombus is a rare adverse effect that can affect up to 1 in 100 people.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs or symptoms of a thrombus, such as:
Liver problems
Eltrombopag may cause changes that appear in blood tests, which can be signs of liver damage. Liver problems (elevated liver enzymes in blood tests) are frequent and can affect up to 1 in 10 people. Other liver problems are rare and can affect up to 1 in 100 people.
If you have any signs of liver problems:
contact your doctor immediately.
Bleeding or bruising after treatment interruption
Two weeks after interrupting treatment with eltrombopag, your platelet levels will normally drop to levels similar to those before starting eltrombopag. A decrease in platelet levels can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. Your doctor will check your platelet levels for at least 4 weeks after interrupting treatment with eltrombopag.
Contact your doctor if you experience bleeding or bruising when stopping eltrombopag.
Some people have bleeding in the digestive system after stopping peginterferon, ribavirin, and eltrombopag. Symptoms include:
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
The following adverse effects have been reported in relation to treatment with eltrombopag in adult patients with ITP
Adverse effects very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Adverse effects very commonthat may appear in blood tests:
Adverse effects common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Adverse effects commonthat may appear in blood tests:
Adverse effects uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Adverse effects uncommonthat may appear in blood tests:
The following adverse effects have been reported in relation to treatment with eltrombopag in children (1 to 17 years old) with ITP:
If these adverse effects worsen, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Adverse effects very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 children)
Adverse effects common(may affect up to 1 in 10 children)
The following adverse effects have been reported in relation to treatment with Eltrombopag in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin in patients with HCV
Adverse effects very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Adverse effects very commonthat may appear in blood tests:
Adverse effects common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Adverse effects commonthat may appear in blood tests:
Adverse effects uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
The following adverse effects have been observed in relation to treatment with Eltrombopag in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA)
If these adverse effects worsen, please inform your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Adverse effects very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Adverse effects very commonthat may appear in a blood test
Adverse effects common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Adverse effects commonthat may appear in a blood test:
Adverse effects of unknown frequency(frequency cannot be estimated from available data)
Reporting of adverse effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible adverse effect that does not appear in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the blister after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of the packaging and any unused medicine in the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicine. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Eltrombopag Olpha
Eltrombopag Olpha 12.5 mg: each film-coated tablet contains eltrombopag olamine equivalent to 12.5 mg of eltrombopag.
Eltrombopag Olpha 25 mg: each film-coated tablet contains eltrombopag olamine equivalent to 25 mg of eltrombopag.
Eltrombopag Olpha 50 mg: each film-coated tablet contains eltrombopag olamine equivalent to 50 mg of eltrombopag.
Eltrombopag Olpha 75 mg: each film-coated tablet contains eltrombopag olamine equivalent to 75 mg of eltrombopag.
Appearance and Package Contents
Eltrombopag Olpha 12.5 mg film-coated tablets EFG are film-coated tablets, orange to brown in color, round, biconvex, with an “I” engraved on one face and a diameter of approximately 5.5 mm.
Eltrombopag Olpha 25 mg film-coated tablets EFG are film-coated tablets, dark pink in color, round, biconvex, with “II” engraved on one face and a diameter of approximately 8 mm.
Eltrombopag Olpha 50 mg film-coated tablets EFG are film-coated tablets, pink in color, round, biconvex, engraved with ‘III’ and a diameter of approximately 10 mm.
Eltrombopag Olpha 75 mg film-coated tablets EFG are film-coated tablets, red to brown in color, round, biconvex, engraved with ‘IV’ on one face and an approximate diameter of 12 mm.
Eltrombopag Olpha 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg are available in boxes containing 10, 14, 28, 30, or 84 film-coated tablets in blisters, or in boxes containing 10, 14, 28, 30, or 84 film-coated tablets in unit-dose blisters.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Olpha AS,
Rupnicu iela 5,
Olaine, Olaines novads, LV-2114,
Latvia
Manufacturer
Synthon B.V.
Microweg 22
6545 CM Nijmegen
Netherlands
Synthon Hispania S.L.
c/ Castelló, 1
08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat
Barcelona
Spain
Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet:June 2024
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es