What kind of medicine is Roprostim/Romigrastim?

Romiplostim is a biologic drug used to treat thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and improve survival in people exposed to high doses of radiation. It works by boosting the body's production of platelets. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically approvedropremilast for the following reasons:

Ropremilast may be used to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults when corticosteroids, immune globulin, or surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy) is not effective. It may also be used to treat children at least 6 months old or 1 year and older with ITP. In addition, ropruprim may be used to increase survival in patients (including adults and children as young as term newborns) with acute radiation syndrome hematopoietic syndrome (HS-ARS), which occurs after acute exposure to radiation doses that reduce bone marrow activity (myelosuppression), resulting in a decrease in platelets and other cells.

Ropremilast stimulates the production of platelets in the body. It acts as a thrombopoietin receptor agonist. Rather than suppressing the immune system, it binds to and activates thrombopoietin (TPO) receptors in the bone marrow. This activates multicellular signaling pathways that enhance cell growth and cell viability, leading to increased platelet counts.

The most common side effects of roplastin in adults include headache, nose and throat infections, and allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions such as rash, itching, and rapid swelling under the skin. The most common side effects in children include nose and throat infections, runny nose, cough, fever, mouth and throat pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rash, and bruising. Romiplostim should not be used in people who are allergic to romiplostim, any other ingredient, or proteins produced by E. coli (a type of bacteria).