Promacta: The Latest and Greatest

After 7 failed or marginally successful regimens in 6 years, I started the Promacta program a few weeks ago. Using the mfg'rs protocol, I started Promacta at 50mg daily. Eight days later the count was 221k. Fourteen days later the count was 441k.... and at that point I stopped taking the Promacta. Four days later after stopping Promacta, the count continued to climb to 595k. We have elected to suspend the Promacta regimen for 14 days with the next CBC scheduled for June 22nd.

A clinical study (NCT00370331) showed about half the patients respond to Promacta at the 50mg dosage. And in isolated cases, platelet counts have approached 750k after 15 days. The Promacta may be a little costly.....but it works for me!

I'm still kinda new to all this.... isn't a count that high dangerous?.. for the opposite reasons of a low count?

A clinical study (NCT00370331) showed about half the patients respond to Promacta at the 50mg dosage. And in isolated cases, platelet counts have approached 750k after 15 days.

I must be in the "other half"!
50mg dosage didn't get me above 14k.
.

Jazz - usually, a count under 1,000,000 is okay. However, for those on the TPO's or those with APS or other clotting risks, a count on the higher side of normal can be dangerous.

side effects ????

I've had no side effects on 25 mgs.

Current update: After taking 50mg Promacta for 14 days, we suspended the med. The count exceeded expectations peaking at 595k on the 18th day. After 32 days the count has drifted down to 158k. Promacta protocol indicates the count should be <150k before restarting the Promacta regimen at 25mg. Next CBC update set for June 30th.

Thats great News!

July 5th Promacta Update: The count on June 30th (the 40th day) dropped from 158k to 156k...this is within experimental error and 2k at this level is not significant. My Hemo Doc will wait 2 more weeks for another CBC. And we have not resumed the Promacta.

Congratulations!

I'm a little envious. I've been on 75mg (max dosage) for six months and I'm hanging around 40k. Which is still better than 4k though.

I was just looking into the Promacta.
You have had some great results!
Any side effects??

The Nplate is not working that great for me want to try something else.