Promacta approved for chronic ITP

The FDA has approved Promacta tablets (eltrombopag, from GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who have been unresponsive to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or splenectomy. This indication was based on results from two short-term studies and one ongoing long-term study of patients with chronic ITP. In order to assure the safe use of Promacta, healthcare providers and patients must be enrolled in GlaxoSmithKline’s Promacta Cares program.

Promacta is an oral thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist. It is expected to be available during the last week of November 2008.

For more information call (877) 9-PROMACTA or visit www.promactacares.com.