Anagrelide

Generic name: Anagrelide
Brand names: Agrylin
Dosage form: oral capsule (0.5 mg; 1 mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers

Usage of Anagrelide

Anagrelide is used to treat a blood cell disorder called thrombocythemia (also called thrombocytosis), which occurs when your body produces too many platelet cells.

Anagrelide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Anagrelide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Anagrelide may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);

signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

chest pain or pressure;

fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);

shortness of breath;

swelling in your lower legs; or

blue colored lips or skin.

Common side effects of anagrelide may include:

fast heartbeats, chest pain, breathing problems;

numbness, tingling, burning pain;

headache, weakness, dizziness;

stomach pain, gas, indigestion, loss of appetite;

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

swelling in your hands or feet;

fever, cough, not feeling well;

back pain; or

rash, itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Anagrelide

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

bleeding problems;

long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);

heart or lung problems;

liver disease; or

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood).

It is not known whether anagrelide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

This medicine may affect fertility (your ability to have children).

You should not breastfeed while using anagrelide.

Anagrelide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 7 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Anagrelide

Usual Adult Dose for Thrombocythemia:

Initial: 0.5 mg orally 4 times a day, or 1 mg orally twice a day, for a minimum of 7 days. Maintenance: titrate to the lowest effective dosage required to reduce and maintain the platelet count at less than 600,000 cells/microliter, ideally down to normal levels. Increase the dosage by no more than 0.5 mg/day in any 1 week period. The dosage should not exceed 10 mg/day or 2.5 mg in any single dose.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia:

Initial dose: 0.5 mg orally daily (recommended) to 0.5 mg orally 4 times dailyMaintenance: titrate to the lowest effective dosage required to reduce and maintain the platelet count at less than 600,000 cells/microliter, ideally down to normal levels. Increase the dosage by no more than 0.5 mg/day in any 1 week period. The dosage should not exceed 10 mg/day or 2.5 mg in any single dose.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Thrombocythemia:

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Anagrelide

Anagrelide can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

an antidepressant;

medicine to improve blood flow;

a blood thinner (such as warfarin or Coumadin) or other medicine to treat or prevent blood clots;

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect anagrelide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.