What to do when Eltrombopag (Revlan) is ineffective and where to purchase the drug

Eltrombopag is an oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist, mainly used to treat idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other thrombocytopenia-related diseases. Although most patients can achieve significant increases in platelets at standard doses, there are still some patients who experience poor or ineffective efficacy. At this time, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the patient's condition, underlying diseases, drug compliance, and possible drug resistance factors in clinical practice to determine the next treatment strategy.

For patients with poor efficacy of eltrombopag, the first step is to confirm whether the patient is taking the medication regularly as prescribed by the doctor, including dosage, medication time, and dietary precautions. Eltrombopag may be incompatible with calcium, iron and dairy products. It is recommended to leave at least 2 hours before and after taking the drug to ensure drug absorption. If it is confirmed that medication compliance is good but still ineffective, the doctor may consider gradually adjusting the dose or extending the course of treatment, combined with dynamic monitoring of platelet levels to evaluate the efficacy.

If there is still no obvious effect after adjusting the dose, other treatment options may be considered, such as short-term glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, or platelet transfusions to maintain platelet levels and prevent the risk of bleeding. In some refractory cases, doctors may also evaluate patients for other thrombopoietin receptor agonists or bone marrow-related treatments. During the entire process, dynamic monitoring of platelets and assessment of bleeding symptoms are crucial and must be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.

In terms of drug purchase channels, Eltrombopag is already on the market in China and is included in medical insurance. The price range is about one or two thousand yuan to four or five thousand yuan. Patients can purchase it through regular hospital pharmacies. There are also a variety of choices in overseas markets, including the Indian Novartis version of the original drug and generic drugs from Laos, India, and Bangladesh. The specifications and prices are significantly different. The price of generic drugs is around a few hundred yuan, and the drug ingredients are basically the same as the original drugs. Patients should purchase drugs through formal channels to ensure drug quality and safety, and use them under the guidance of a doctor.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/