Promacta (eltrombopag) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain blood disorders. Promacta comes as an oral tablet and liquid suspension that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on the condition.
Promacta belongs to a drug class called thrombopoietin receptor agonists. Promacta isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Promacta, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Promacta, including details about its uses, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Promacta provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Promacta, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Promacta’s recommended dosages.
Promacta forms
Promacta is available in two forms:
- oral tablet
- packet of powder, which you’ll mix with water to form an oral liquid suspension
Promacta strengths
Promacta comes in the following strengths:
- tablet:
- 12.5 milligrams (mg)
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
- 75 mg
- packet of powder for liquid suspension:
- 12.5 mg
- 25 mg
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will prescribe a low dosage of Promacta to start. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you.
Promacta is prescribed to increase the number of platelets in your blood. (Platelets are cells that help your blood form clots.) For this reason, your doctor will check your platelet count to determine your dosage. They’ll check your platelet level regularly while you’re taking Promacta. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage needed to reach the platelet count goal.
The following information describes Promacta dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Note: Studies have shown that people of East and Southeast Asian ancestry may be more sensitive to Promacta. Greater sensitivity may result in a higher risk of side effects. (To learn about side effects of Promacta, see this article.) Due to this risk, your doctor may lower your Promacta dosage if you’re of East or Southeast Asian ancestry. It depends on the condition you’re taking Promacta to treat. The typical dosage reduction is indicated below.
Dosage for immune thrombocytopenia
For immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults, the initial dosage is typically 50 mg once per day. For adults of East or Southeast Asian ancestry, the initial dosage is typically 25 mg once per day. The maximum dosage is 75 mg per day.
With ITP, your platelet levels are lower than usual, so your blood doesn’t clot properly.
Dosage for severe aplastic anemia with immunosuppressive therapy
For severe aplastic anemia (SAA) with immunosuppressive therapy in adults, the initial dosage is typically 150 mg once per day for 6 months. For adults of East or Southeast Asian ancestry, the initial dosage is typically 75 mg once per day for 6 months.
With aplastic anemia, your bone marrow doesn’t produce enough new blood cells. And with immunosuppressive therapy, your doctor prescribes specific drugs to decrease the activity of your immune system.
Dosage for SAA that’s refractory
For refractory SAA in adults, the initial dosage is typically 50 mg once per day. (“Refractory” means the condition has not responded to previous treatment.) For adults of East or Southeast Asian ancestry, the initial dosage is typically 25 mg once per day.
The maximum dosage is 150 mg per day.
Dosage for thrombocytopenia in people with chronic hepatitis C
For thrombocytopenia in adults with chronic hepatitis C, the initial dosage is typically 25 mg once per day. The maximum dosage is 100 mg per day.
Children’s dosage
Promacta is approved to treat chronic (long lasting) ITP and SAA in children of a certain age. Children’s dosages vary depending on several factors. These can include your child’s age, body weight, ancestry, and condition. The dosage will also depend on your child’s platelet count. Your child’s doctor will determine the right dosage for your child. For details about platelet counts and ancestry, see “Typical dosages” above.
Dosage for chronic ITP
Promacta is prescribed to treat chronic ITP in children ages 1 year and older. The table below shows the typical initial dosages by age and ancestry:
| Age | Dosage | Dosage for children of East or Southeast Asian ancestry |
| 1–5 years | 25 mg once per day | 25 mg once per day (no dosage adjustment) |
| 6 years and older | 50 mg once per day | 25 mg once per day |
Dosage for SAA
Promacta is approved to treat SAA in children ages 2 years and older. The table below shows the typical initial dosages by age, body weight, and ancestry:
| Age | Dosage | Dosage for children of East or Southeast Asian ancestry |
| 2–5 years | 2.5 mg per kilogram* (mg/kg) of body weight once per day | 1.25 mg/kg of body weight once per day |
| 6–11 years | 75 mg once per day | 37.5 mg once per day |
| 12 years and older | 150 mg once per day | 75 mg once per day |
* For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds.
Long-term treatment
Promacta is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Promacta is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about your Promacta dosage or treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
Note: If you’re taking Promacta for severe aplastic anemia with immunosuppressive therapy, the typical treatment length is 6 months.
The Promacta dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Promacta to treat
- the form of Promacta you take
- your platelet level
Other medical conditions you may have, such as liver disease, can also affect your Promacta dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may lower your Promacta dosage if you have liver disease. They’ll adjust it based on the type and severity of your liver condition. If your doctor decides to stop Promacta treatment, they’ll advise on a different treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor or if you have questions about dosage adjustments with Promacta.
Promacta comes as an oral tablet that you swallow. It also comes as a powder in packets. You’ll mix the powder with water to form a liquid suspension and then swallow it right away. Always follow your doctor’s instructions for taking Promacta.
Promacta is typically taken once a day, with or without food.
However, foods high in calcium may interact with Promacta and affect how well the drug works. If you take your Promacta dose with food, be sure the food contains 50 milligrams (mg) or less of calcium. If it contains more than 50 mg of calcium, plan to take your Promacta dose 2 hours before or 4 hours after eating. This strategy will help reduce the risk of Promacta interacting with the calcium in your food. For more information about Promacta interactions, view this article.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Promacta in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
Promacta is most effective when you take it exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next scheduled dose. Your doctor will likely not recommend that you take more than one Promacta dose in a day.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
If you take more Promacta than your doctor prescribes, you may develop harmful effects. Serious side effects from Promacta overdose include blood clots. To learn about Promacta’s side effects, see this article.
It’s important that you don’t take more Promacta than your doctor advises.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose symptoms of Promacta can include:
- large increases in platelet counts, which may result in a high risk of blood clots
- chest pain
- confusion
- swelling in your arms or legs
- numbness on one side of your body
- difficulty breathing
- pain in one leg
If you take more than the recommended amount of Promacta
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Promacta. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Promacta for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Promacta without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Promacta that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Promacta. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Promacta. For information about other aspects of Promacta, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Promacta, see this article. You can also look at Promacta’s prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. Find out how Promacta compares with dexamethasone and Thymoglobulin.
- Details about your condition. For details about your condition, see our list of blood and hematology articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.