Anagrelide is used to treat a condition called thrombocythemia (also called thrombocytosis). Thrombocythemia is a blood cell disorder in which too many platelet cells are produced, causing bleeding or blood-clotting problems.
Anagrelide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use anagrelide if you have moderate to severe liver disease.
You should not use anagrelide if you are allergic to it, or if you have moderate to severe liver disease.
To make sure anagrelide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease;
- personal or family history of long QT syndrome;
- heart disease or congestive heart failure;
- bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
- kidney disease; or
- asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder.
It is not known whether anagrelide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using anagrelide.
Anagrelide Side Effects
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
- sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack, feeling short of breath;
- severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, vomiting, fast heart rate;
- chest pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
- sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.
- mild or occasional headache;
- diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, indigestion;
- mild dizziness;
- fever, sore throat, loss of appetite;
- back pain; or
- itching.
Anagrelide Interactions
Do not take aspirin unless your doctor has told you to. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much aspirin to take, and how often to take it.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other pain, cold, allergy, or sleep medication. Aspirin (sometimes abbreviated as ASA) is contained in many combination medicines. Although aspirin is sometimes prescribed for use with anagrelide, taking these medications together may increase your risk of bleeding. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin or ASA.
Other drugs may interact with anagrelide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Anagrelide Dosage
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your
doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best
results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for
longer than recommended.
Your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) before you take this medicine.
While using anagrelide, you may need frequent blood tests. Your heart, liver, and kidney function may also need to be checked.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using anagrelide.
You should not stop using anagrelide suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) before you take this medicine.
While using anagrelide, you may need frequent blood tests. Your heart, liver, and kidney function may also need to be checked.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using anagrelide.
You should not stop using anagrelide suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Anagrelide Pictures
