Anagrelide - Benefits, dosage and side effects

2023 Author: Autumn Gilbert | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:39

Anagrelide is a drug to treat thrombocytemia or thrombocytosis, which is a high number of platelets or platelets due to disorders of the bone marrow. That way, the risk of forming a blood clot (thrombosis) can be reduced

Anagrelide is an antiplatelet drug. This drug will decrease the production and number of platelets by preventing the maturation of megakaryocyte stem cells in the bone marrow. This drug should not be used carelessly and must be according to a doctor's prescription.

Anagrelide trademark: Agrylin, Thromboreductin

What is Anagrelide

Class	Prescription drugs
Categories	Antiplatelet
Benefits	Treating thrombocytemia or thrombocytosis
Consumed by	Children aged 7 years to adults
Anagrelide for pregnant and lactating women	Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk. It is not known whether Anagrelide is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first.
Medicine form	Capsule

Warning Before Taking Anagrelide

Anagrelide should only be consumed according to a doctor's prescription. Note the following points before taking anagrelide:

Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Anagrelide should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver disease, kidney disease, blood clotting disorders, low potassium levels (hypokalemia), heart disease, or heart rhythm disorders, such as QT prolongation or bradycardia.
Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements or herbal products.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
Tell your doctor that you are taking anagrelide if you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery.
Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness, while taking anagrelide treatment, as this drug can cause dizziness.
Do not consume alcoholic beverages or grapefruit, while taking anagrelide treatment, as this may increase the risk of side effects.
See your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug, serious side effects, or an overdose after taking anagrelide.

Anagrelide Dosage and Instructions

The dose of anagrelide given by the doctor may be different for each patient, depending on the patient's age and response to the drug. The following are common doses of anagrelide to treat thrombocytemia or essential thrombocytosis:

Adult

The initial dose is 1 mg per day, divided into 2 times of consumption. The dose will be increased by a maximum of 0.5 mg per week until the platelet count is within normal limits. Maintenance dose 1–3 mg per day. The maximum dose per administration is 2.5 mg and the maximum dose per day is 10 mg.

Children 7 years old

Initial dose of 0.5 mg per day for the first week. The dose is increased by 0.5 mg per week until the platelet count is within normal limits. Maintenance dose 1–3 mg per day. The maximum dose per administration is 2.5 mg and the maximum dose per day is 10 mg.

How to Take Anagrelide Correctly

Follow the doctor's advice and read the instructions on the medicine package before taking anagrelide. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor.

Take anagrelide regularly at the same time every day so that the effect of the drug is maximized. Anagrelide can be taken with or without food. Take anagrelide whole with the help of a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

Do not stop taking anagrelide even if your condition has improved, except on doctor's advice. Stop taking the drug can make platelet levels rise again

If you forget to take anagrelide, take this drug immediately if the gap between the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.

One of the side effects that can occur after taking anagrelide is dizziness. To reduce the risk of these side effects, you should not rush to stand up after taking the drug if you were previously sitting or lying down.

Conduct a he alth check to the doctor regularly when using this drug. Your doctor may order you to have an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, liver function tests, kidney function tests, as well as blood pressure, or electrolyte levels in your blood.

Regular check-ups need to be done so that the progress of the condition and the effectiveness of the drug can always be monitored.

Store anagrelide in a closed container in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

Anagrelide Interaction with Other Drugs

There are several drug interactions that can occur if anagrelide is used with certain drugs, including:

Enhanced effect of PDE III inhibitors (phosphodiesterase III inhibitors), such as amrinone or cilostazol
Increased risk of bleeding if used with clopidogrel, warfarin, enoxaparin, or aspirin
Increased risk of cardiac QT prolongation when used with amiodarone or pimozide
Increased risk of torsades de pointes type of heart rhythm disorder, if used with goserelin, histrelin, leuprolide, or triptorelin

Anagrelide Side Effects and Dangers

Side effects that can occur after taking anagrelide are:

Dizziness or headache
Nausea or flatulence
Lost appetite
Diarrhea
Body feels weak
Tingling, numbness, or burning sensation

Contact your doctor if the above side effects do not improve or get worse. See a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to a drug or serious side effect, such as: