Treatment FAQ

what is itp treatment

by Jesse Kertzmann Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What s the best treatment to get rid of ITP?

Dec 01, 2020 · In recent years, the number of treatment options available for patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) has expanded. In addition to the classical trio of corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and splenectomy, choices now include rituximab, thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor fostamatinib.

What is the optimal treatment of ITP?

Jan 07, 2021 · The goal of medical care for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is to increase the platelet count to a safe level, permitting patients to live …

When to treat ITP?

This is a tablet you take twice a day. It helps create more blood platelets for some people who weren’t helped by other treatments. For most people, …

Is there any cure for ITP?

ITP is a blood disorder with decreased blood platelets, which may result in easy bruising, bleeding gums and internal bleeding. The cause is usually unknown, but it may be an autoimmune disorder or follow a viral illness. It can also occur with certain medicines or vaccines. Treatment may not be needed. Observation alone is a very common approach.

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What is the ASH guidelines for ITP?

The ASH guidelines also differentiate hospitalization in someone newly diagnosed with ITP and a patient with whom you are familiar. With a new ITP diagnosis, you do not yet know how he/she will respond to treatment or what his/her bleeding pattern will be.

What is the best treatment for thrombocytopenia?

In addition to the classical trio of corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and splenectomy, choices now include rituximab, thro mbopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor fostamatinib.

How long can you live on Rituximab?

If the response isn’t indefinite, it may at least let them live ITP-free for a year or more. Rituximab is a good option for use in a patient who wants to avoid splenectomy.

Does Rituximab help with ITP?

At first, people were hopeful that rituximab would be a “magic bullet” for everyone with ITP; initially reported response rates were high, but, as we have seen, many patients do not respond or lose response over time. However, rituximab has many benefits, including the fact that there is no need for ongoing therapy.

Is splenectomy a risk factor for ITP?

While all of those are infrequent with splenectomy for ITP compared to splenectomy for some other indications such as myeloproliferative neoplasms, the risk is not zero. The second, and perhaps the most talked about, risk is developing sepsis after the spleen is removed.

What happens if ITP is a medication?

Medication changes. If it is a medication that is the suspected cause, discontinuation or changing the medication may be necessary. Infection treatment. If infection is the cause for ITP, then treatment of the infection may result in higher platelet counts. Splenectomy.

How long does ITP last?

ITP may be acute and resolve in less than 6 months, or chronic and last longer than 6 months. Treatment options include a variety of medications that can reduce the destruction of platelets or increase their production. In some cases, surgery to remove the spleen is necessary.

What is thrombocytopenic purpura?

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a blood disorder characterized by an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. A decrease in platelets can result in easy bruising, bleeding gums, and internal bleeding. ITP may be acute and resolve in less than 6 months, ...

What is the difference between purpura and thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia means a decreased number of platelets in the blood. Purpura refers to the purple discoloring of the skin, as with a bruise. ITP is a fairly common blood disorder that both children and adults can develop. There are two forms of ITP: Acute thrombocytopenic purpura.

How long does it take for ITP to go away?

There are two forms of ITP: Acute thrombocytopenic purpura. This usually affects young children, ages 2 to 6 years old. The symptoms may follow a viral illness, such as chickenpox. Acute ITP usually starts suddenly and the symptoms usually disappear in less than 6 months, often within a few weeks.

What causes bruising and bleeding gums?

A decrease in platelets can cause easy bruising, bleeding gums, and internal bleeding. This disease is caused by an immune reaction against one's own platelets. It has also been called autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. Thrombocytopenia means a decreased number of platelets in the blood.

What is the normal platelet count for thrombocytopenic purpura?

What are the symptoms of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? Normal platelet count is in the range of 150,000 to 450,000. With ITP, the platelet count is less than 100,000. By the time significant bleeding occurs, you may have a platelet count of less than 10,000.

What is the goal of ITP therapy?

(1) The goal of therapy in this population is to maintain a hemostatic platelet count while minimizing drug-induced toxicity; select patients may require somewhat higher platelet counts because of comorbid risk factors as discussed in “Treatment of chronic ITP.”.

How many ITP neonates have thrombocytopenia?

Approximately 4% of ITP neonates are born with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet counts < 20 000 × 10 9 /L), but importantly few have platelet counts that are less than 5000 × 10 9 /L unless alloantibodies are also present. 87 The severity of neonatal thrombocytopenia is often most marked 1 to 3 days after birth.

Can ITP be considered for pregnancy?

Women with ITP may consult their physician as to the safety of becoming pregnant or the diagnosis may be considered for the first time during pregnancy because years may have passed since a complete blood count was performed. Several comprehensive reviews have been published. 2, 75

Why do ITP bruises turn purple?

The bleeding results from unusually low levels of platelets — the cells that help blood clot. Formerly known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP can cause purple bruises, as well as tiny reddish-purple dots that look like a rash. Children may develop ITP after a viral infection and usually recover fully without treatment.

What causes a thrombocytopenia in the stomach?

In adults, this may be triggered by infection with HIV, hepatitis or H. pylori — the type of bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. In most children with ITP, the disorder follows a viral illness, ...

How to tell if you have thrombocytopenia?

Immune thrombocytopenia may have no signs and symptoms. When they do occur, they may include: 1 Easy or excessive bruising 2 Superficial bleeding into the skin that appears as pinpoint-sized reddish-purple spots (petechiae) that look like a rash, usually on the lower legs 3 Bleeding from the gums or nose 4 Blood in urine or stools 5 Unusually heavy menstrual flow

What does Petechiae look like?

Petechiae. Petechiae may look like a rash and usually appear in clusters. Here they appear on a leg (A) and on an abdomen (B). Immune thrombocytopenia may have no signs and symptoms. When they do occur, they may include: Easy or excessive bruising.

What to do if your platelet count is low?

If your symptoms are more severe, treatment may include medications to boost your platelet count or surgery to remove your spleen.

What does it mean when you have a rash on your legs?

Easy or excessive bruising. Superficial bleeding into the skin that appears as pinpoint-sized reddish-purple spots (petechiae) that look like a rash, usually on the lower legs. Bleeding from the gums or nose. Blood in urine or stools. Unusually heavy menstrual flow.

Can you have a low platelet count while pregnant?

If you're pregnant and your platelet count is very low or you have bleeding, you have a greater risk of heavy bleeding during delivery. Your doctor may suggest treatment to maintain a stable platelet count, taking into account the effects on your baby.

What is the best treatment for ITP?

Corticosteroids (ie, oral prednisone or high-dose dexamethasone) [ 9, 10, 11] remain the drugs of choice for the initial management of acute ITP, especially in the setting of life-threatening thrombocytopenia or when response in the platelet count is needed in an urgent or emergent setting.

What is the goal of ITP?

The goal of medical care for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is to increase the platelet count to a safe level, permitting patients to live normal lives while awaiting spontaneous or treatment-induced remission. ITP has no cure, and relapses may occur years after seemingly successful medical or surgical management.

What is the advantage of IV rhing?

An advantage of IV RhIG is that if bone marrow aspiration is unacceptable to parents and if the diagnosis of acute ITP is equivocal, IV RhIG is an effective treatment that avoids the problem of a misdiagnosis of acute leukemia because of steroid-related changes in the marrow.

When was tavalisse approved?

Fostamatinib. Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2018 for thrombocytopenia in adults with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment. It is the first spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor approved in the US.

Is romiplostim safe for ITP?

[ 64] A systematic review concluded that romiplostim is effective and generally well tolerated in patients 65 years of age and older with ITP.

Can IV rhig cause anemia?

Also, IV RhIG may induce immune hemolysis (immune hemolytic anemia) in Rh (D)-positive persons, which is the most common adverse effect, and should not be used when the hemoglobin concentration is less than 8 g/dL.

Is rituximab a second line?

TPO-RA and rituximab are second-line options for patients with ITP lasting 3 months or more and in those who are corticosteroid dependent or have no response to corticosteroids. For adults who have had ITP for longer than 12 months, splenectomy is also a second-line option.

What is the name of the drug that is used to treat thrombocytopenia?

Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Anti- RhoD (Anti-D ) Thrombopoietin-Receptor Agonists (TPO-RAs) Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) Rituximab (Rituxan) When you have chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP), you don’t have enough platelets in your blood. This means you might bleed if your platelet count is low or bleed too much when you’re injured.

What is the best medication for CITP?

They’re similar to a hormone made by your adrenal glands. You’ll probably get one of two types to help treat your cITP. Prednisone (Deltasone, Rayos) is the most common. It helps slow the breakdown of your platelets.

How long does it take for a blood donor to give platelets?

You can also get them from a blood donor to boost your platelet count. They’re given through a vein (IV). The treatment takes a few hours and usually starts slowly. If you have side effects, it may be slowed down or stopped. You might get a high dose of immune globulin for a day or two, or a lower dose over 5 days.

What is the best medicine to stop bleeding?

Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) This is also often used first. Your doctor may prescribe it to stop bleeding fast. Immune globulins are proteins in your blood called antibodies. Your immune system makes them to fight germs. You can also get them from a blood donor to boost your platelet count.

How long does it take for a steroid to work?

Sometimes your doctor might prescribe a high dose of a steroid called dexamethasone (Decadron) instead. You take it for 4 days every 2 to 4 weeks. It works faster, but the end results are about the same.

Does anti-D help with platelet count?

When you have this protein, anti-D can boost your platelet count. Before you start treatment, you’ll have tests to make sure you have the right blood type. You’ll also get medicine to help ease side effects like chills, fever, headaches, and body aches.

Can you take tavalisse twice a day?

Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) This is a tablet you take twice a day. It helps create more blood platelets for some people who weren’t helped by other treatments. For most people, side effects are mild. But in rare cases it can make you less able to fight infections, raise your blood pressure, or cause liver problems.

What is the best treatment for ITP?

Other treatments for ITP may include: Medicines that promote platelet production. Rituximab. This is a type of antibody that helps to increase platelets by preventing their destruction. High-dose dexamethasone.

How long does it take for a thrombocytopenic purpura to go away?

Symptoms often go away in less than six months (often within a few weeks). Treatment is not usually needed. The disorder typically does not recur. Acute ITP is the most common form of the disorder. Chronic thrombocytopenic purpura.

What does it mean when your platelets are low?

Platelets help stop bleeding. So, a decrease in platelets can result in easy bruising, bleeding gums and bleeding inside the body. The lower the platelet count, the greater the risk of bleeding. ITP may be acute or chronic: Acute thrombocytopenic purpura. This is most common in young children (2 to 6 years old).

What causes bruising and bleeding gums?

ITP is a blood disorder with decreased blood platelets, which may result in easy bruising, bleeding gums and internal bleeding. The cause is usually unknown, but it may be an autoimmune disorder or follow a viral illness. It can also occur with certain medicines or vaccines. Treatment may not be needed.

How long does it take for a steroid to work?

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIg). A single dose of IVIg helps slow the destruction of platelets. It works more quickly than steroids (within 24 to 48 hours).

What is the normal platelet count?

It includes hemoglobin and hematocrit and more details about the red blood cells. Normal platelet count is between 150,000 to 450,000. With ITP, the platelet count is less than 100,000. Children with ITP often have a platelet count of less than 10,000. Peripheral smear.

What does it mean when you have red dots under your skin?

Tiny red dots under the skin that are a result of very small bleeds. Nosebleeds. Bleeding in the mouth or in and around the gums. Blood in urine or stool. Vomiting with blood. Bleeding with a head injury. This may be life-threatening in a child with ITP. The symptoms of ITP may look like other medical problems.

What is the treatment decision for a patient with a higher platelet count?

Individual treatment decisions for patients with higher platelet counts are made on the basis of patient-specific factors and history of bleeding. For example, if a patient is undergoing a procedure that requires a higher platelet count for safety, then that patient needs to be treated.

How do autoantibodies work against platelets?

Autoantibodies against multiple platelet antigens arise through the phenomenon of epitope spread, amplifying the immune response against the platelets. Antibody-coated platelets are bound by antigen-presenting cells, taken up through the Fcγ receptor, internalized, and degraded.

How many people have antiplatelet antibodies?

Approximately 50% of patients with ITP have antiplatelet antibodies, and they may also be detected in individuals with other causes of thrombocytopenia. The presence or absence of antiplatelet antibodies does not correlate with outcomes.

What is JC spleenectomy?

JC Splenectomy is the surgical removal of the site where antibody-coated platelets undergo phagocytosis by the reticuloendothelial system. Furthermore, the spleen may also be the location of the lymphocytes responsible for producing these aberrant autoantibodies, explaining the procedure’s efficacy.

What is the risk of infection after laparoscopic surgery?

The risk for infection immediately after surgery is approximately 10%, and the lifetime risk for infection and sepsis from encapsulated organisms is also increased.

What are the factors that contribute to bleeding?

Other patient factors, such as age, medications, and comorbidities, contribute to the risk for bleeding. The current 2019 guidelines from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) recommend treatment in adults with newly diagnosed disease who are having clinically important bleeding.

What should be included in clinical history?

The clinical history should include questions about recent infectious symptoms, potentially causative medications, and stigmata of other systemic conditions, such as liver disease, lymphoproliferative disorders, and rheumatologic disorders.

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Diagnosis

Abnormally low levels of platelets (blood cells that control bleeding) due to excessive bleeding. This causes easy bruising and bleeding.
Condition Highlight
Certain types can be dangerous or life threatening
How common is condition?
Rare (Fewer than 200,000 cases per year in US)
Is condition treatable?
Treatable by a medical professional
Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
Requires lab test or imaging
Time taken for recovery
Can last several years or be lifelong
Condition Highlight
More common in females
Condition Highlight
Family history may increase likelihood for some types
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Clinical Trials

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