Drug guidance
Eltrombopag for treating immune thrombocytopenia and severe aplastic anaemia
Condition
Blood and Immune System
4 January 2022
Published on 04 Jan 2022
Last Updated on 04 Jan 2022
Guidance Recommendations
The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:
Eltrombopag 25 mg and 50 mg tablets for treating:
immune thrombocytopenia lasting six months or longer from diagnosis in patients who are intolerant or refractory to other treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunosuppressants); and
severe aplastic anaemia in patients who are refractory to immunosuppressive therapy (comprising horse anti-thymocyte globulin plus ciclosporin for at least three months) and have marrow cellularity <25% (or 25 to 50% with <30% residual haematopoietic cells), with at least two of the following:
neutrophils <0.5 x 109/l
platelets <20 x 109/l
reticulocyte count <20 x 109/l (<60 x 109/l for automated reticulocyte counting).
Eltrombopag should be prescribed by a haematologist with experience in managing immune thrombocytopenia and severe aplastic anaemia.
Subsidy status
Eltrombopag 25 mg and 50 mg tablets are recommended for inclusion on the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for the abovementioned indications.
MAF assistance does not apply to the use of eltrombopag for treating newly diagnosed severe aplastic anaemia.