Medical uses of Romiplostim

Romiplostim is a man-made protein medicine introduced for the treatment of decreased blood platelet counts in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), when certain other drugs, or surgery in order to eliminate your spleen, haven't been useful enough.

The romiplostim 250 mcg injection is not for use in patients with a precancerous condition named myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or decreased platelet count caused due to any condition other than chronic ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenia).

Romiplostim is only used in case your reduced platelet count and medical condition increase your possibility of bleeding.

Romiplostim is used to keep your platelet count about 50,000 per microliter to reduce the possibility of bleeding. Although, this drug is not used in order to make platelet count normal.

Approval: On August 22, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration approved romiplostim for the long-term treatment option of adults with Chronic ITP.

On December 14, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved romiplostim for use in the treatment of pediatric patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia.

On October 18, 2019, the romiplostim was approved for earlier use in the treatment of adults with Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Dosage Form: Romiplostim comes in the form of injection generically and under the brand name Nplate. The standard romiplostim dose is given as a subcutaneous (SC) injection under the skin once weekly. Self-administration of romiplostim is not recommended. Your doctor will evaluate your platelet count every week and may change your dose of romiplostim as needed. Treatment will carry on until your healthcare practitioner decides that your dose of romiplostim injection may stay the same. Following that, you will be tested for blood every month. When you interrupt receiving romiplostim, you will need blood tests for a minimum of a couple of weeks to evaluate in case your platelet count decreases too low.

Side Effects: Side effects of romiplostim are usually mild and not life threatening. The commonly reported side effects in adults may include arthralgia, dizziness, insomnia, pain in extremity, myalgia, abdominal pain, shoulder pain, dyspepsia, headache and paresthesia. The commonly reported side effects in pediatric patients may include oropharyngeal pain, contusion and upper respiratory tract infection.

Cost: The romiplostim price in India may vary depending on the wholesaler or pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. The cost of romiplostim is around Rs. 3294 for a supply of vial of 0.5mL injection.