Alvaiz (eltrombopag): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

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Alvaiz is used to increase platelet levels in certain people with low levels of platelets. It works by signaling the body to make more platelets. Common side effects include nausea, fever, and cough. It is important to keep all appointments for blood tests and other tests while taking Alvaiz.

Uses

What is Alvaiz used for?

Alvaiz is commonly used for certain people with the following conditions.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia) in people with chronic hepatitis C
Aplastic anemia

Alvaiz may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Alvaiz work (mechanism of action)?

Alvaiz signals the body to make more platelets, which are cells that help the blood to clot.

How is Alvaiz supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

Alvaiz

Dosage forms and strengths

9 mg, 18 mg, 36 mg, 54 mg oral tablets

How should I store Alvaiz?

Alvaiz should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep Alvaiz in the container that it comes in.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Alvaiz?

The most common side effects of Alvaiz are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Low levels of red blood cells (anemia)
Nausea
Fever
Changes in liver function tests
Cough
Tiredness
Headache
Diarrhea

There may be other side effects of Alvaiz that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Alvaiz?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Alvaiz are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Alvaiz may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Alvaiz and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Breathing problems or wheezing
Racing heart
Fever or general ill feeling
Swollen lymph nodes
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
Stomach cramps
Joint pain

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Alvaiz. If you have hepatitis C, taking Alvaiz with ribavirin and interferon may increase the risk of liver damage. Keep all appointments for blood tests so that your health care provider can check the health of your liver. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

Nausea or vomiting
Stomach or belly pain
Fever
Weakness or unusual tiredness
Confusion
Itching
Loss of appetite
Light-colored poop
Dark-colored urine (pee)
Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Blood Clots. Alvaiz may increase the risk of blood clots in your arteries or veins, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), legs, thigh, pelvis, other areas (deep venous thrombosis or DVT), or the liver (portal vein thrombosis). This risk may be higher in people who have certain health conditions. Stop taking Alvaiz and get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of these blood clots.

Chest pain or pressure
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Trouble breathing
Stomach pain or tenderness
Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Vision Problems. Alvaiz may increase your risk for getting cataracts or for worsening of cataracts that you already have. Cataracts happen when the lens of your eye gets cloudy. Keep all appointments to have your eyes checked before and during treatment with Alvaiz. Tell your health care provider if you have any vision changes while taking Alvaiz.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Alvaiz?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Alvaiz.

Eltrombopag
Alvaiz
Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Alvaiz.

What should I know about Alvaiz before using it?

Do not take Alvaiz unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Alvaiz with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Alvaiz out of the reach of children.

Do not chew, cut, or crush Alvaiz tablets or mix them with food or liquids.

Keep all appointments for blood tests and other tests while you are taking Alvaiz. Tell your health care provider about any bleeding or bruising since this could mean that your platelet levels are too high or too low.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Alvaiz?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Alvaiz is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Blood Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have a blood condition called myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Alvaiz could cause MDS to get worse or turn into a blood cancer called acute myeloid leukemia.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

Leukemia or other blood cancer
Liver problems
A blood clot or a condition that increases your risk of a blood clot, such as antiphospholipid syndrome
Bleeding problems
Surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy)
Cataracts

East Asian or Southeast Asian Ancestry. Tell your health care provider if you are of East Asian or Southeast Asian ancestry. Your health care provider may need to adjust your dose of Alvaiz.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Alvaiz may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Alvaiz, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Alvaiz could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while taking Alvaiz and for at least seven days after your last dose.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Alvaiz passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Alvaiz.

Interactions

Does Alvaiz interact with foods or drinks?

Do not take Alvaiz within two hours before or four hours after eating foods with more than 50 mg of calcium, such as dairy products, fortified juices, or some fruits or vegetables. Calcium or other minerals may make Alvaiz not work as well.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Alvaiz, but low platelet levels can increase your risk of bleeding. Since alcohol can also increase your risk of bleeding, it is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does Alvaiz interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Alvaiz.

An antacid, laxative, or supplement containing aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, or zinc
A statin, such as atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, or simvastatin, which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
Bosentan, which is a medicine to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension
Ezetimibe, which is a medicine to treat high cholesterol
Glyburide or repaglinide, which are medicines to treat type 2 diabetes
Olmesartan or valsartan, which are angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and other heart conditions
Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
Certain medicines used to treat cancer, such as imatinib (Gleevec, Imkeldi), irinotecan, lapatinib (Tykerb), mitoxantrone, or topotecan
Methotrexate (Trexall and others), which is a medicine commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis or certain types of cancer
Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), which is a medicine used for certain inflammatory conditions, such as ulcerative colitis or rheumatoid arthritis
A medicine for hepatitis C
A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots