Romiplostim (rbe) ro''-mi''p-lo''-sti''m
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Nplate.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Nplate against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Nplate is used for
Nplate is used to treat low blood platelet counts in people with immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (called ITP). ITP is a disease in which your immune system destroys your platelets.
Platelets are the cells in your blood that help seal cuts and form blood clots. If you have too few platelets you could bruise more easily than normal. You could also bleed for a long time after being injured. If your platelet count is very low, you may be at risk of serious, life-threatening bleeding.
This medicine works by increasing the number of platelets made by your body. Nplate makes your bone marrow produce more platelets. This helps to prevent bruising and bleeding.
Your doctor, however, may prescribe Nplate for another purpose.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given it
When you must not be given it
Do not use Nplate if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing romiplostim
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
any medicines that are produced using the bacteria E.coli.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not use it after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you use it after the expiry date has passed, it may have no effect, or an unexpected effect.
Do not use it if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not use it if the Nplate solution is cloudy or discoloured, or if it contains clumps or flakes.
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if:
you have allergies to:
any other medicines
any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Nplate is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.
It is not known whether Nplate passes into breast milk.
you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
liver problems
kidney problems
blood clot
cancer or pre-cancer of the blood.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start using Nplate.
Tell your doctor if you stop taking Nplate.
Your blood platelet count may return to low levels and put you at risk of bleeding if you stop taking Nplate. Your doctor will discuss the risks with you.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
How it is given
Nplate is given as an injection under the skin. This is called a subcutaneous injection.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
How much is given
When you first start using Nplate your dose is 1 microgram per kilogram of your body weight, given once a week.
Your doctor will determine how much to inject.
Your doctor will adjust your dose of Nplate depending on your blood platelet count.
When to use it
Nplate is injected once per week to keep your platelet counts in a safe range.
How long to use it
Continue using your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
This medicine helps control your condition, but does not cure it.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, talk to your doctor.
If you are given too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131126) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Nplate.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are using it
Things you must do
Tell any other doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may do some blood tests to check your platelet levels from time to time to make sure the medicine is working.
Things you must not do
Do not use Nplate to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine without checking with your doctor.
If you stop taking it you may return to a low blood platelet count. You will be at risk of bruising and bleeding.
If you are taking medicines which prevent blood clots (anticoagulants or -anti-platelet therapy) when you lower the dose or stop taking Nplate, you will have a greater risk of bleeding.
Side effects
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after taking Nplate.
This medicine helps most people with low platelet counts, but may have unwanted side effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. Your doctor has weighed the risks of using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
dizziness
headache
abdominal pain
joint or muscle pain, including shoulder pain
pain in your hands and feet
tingling or numbness in your hands and feet
trouble sleeping
indigestion
burning pain, redness and warmth in your hands and feet
allergic reaction.
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived.
If any of the following happens, stop using Nplate and tell your doctor immediately or seek medical attention:
swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficultly in swallowing or breathing
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
Some of these side effects, for example,
low blood platelet count after stopping Nplate,
very high platelet count,
increased bone marrow fibres,
can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.
After using it
Storage
If you need to store Nplate:
Keep your medicine in the refrigerator, between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze.
Keep your medicine in the pack until it is time to use it. Protect it from light.
If you take the powder out of the pack it will not keep well.
Do not shake or vigorously agitate the vial.
After Nplate powder has been dissolved, use the solution as soon as possible.
If the dissolved Nplate solution will not be used immediately, store it in the refrigerator, between 2°C and 8°C. It can only be stored in this way for up to 24 hours.
Use only one dose per vial of dissolved Nplate; do not re-enter the vial. Discard unused portions. Do not save unused Nplate for later administration.
Do not freeze dissolved Nplate solution.
Do not place Nplate or dissolved Nplate solution in a freezer or in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
Disposal
Return any unused or expired medicine to your pharmacist.
Product description
What it looks like
Your Nplate is supplied as white powder in a glass vial.
Nplate comes in two pack sizes:
- Nplate 250 microgram/0.5 mL and
- Nplate 500 microgram/1 mL.
Each pack contains one vial.
It is prepared for use by dissolving the powder in sterile Water for Injections:
250 microgram/0.5mL vial containing 375 microgram romiplostim: powder dissolved in 0.72mL sterile Water for Injections
500 microgram/1mL vial containing 625 microgram romiplostim: powder dissolved in 1.2mL sterile Water for Injections.
The powder should dissolve in less than 2 minutes.
Ingredients
Active ingredient: romiplostim (rbe).
Inactive ingredients: mannitol, sucrose, L-histidine, diluted hydrochloric acid and Polysorbate 20.
This medicine does not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
