Rhophylac for ITP
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Treatment Options

Rhophylac® represents a new option for treating ITP, especially for those patients who do not easily tolerate other available treatment options.

Learn About Rhophylac® for ITP

Here are some common treatment options* for chronic ITP:

  • Corticosteroids are often prescribed for initial treatment to slow platelet destruction, but are not prescribed long-term because of potential side effects. These range from weight gain and stomach irritation to thinning of the skin, osteoporosis, increased risk of infection, high blood pressure, and kidney stones.
  • IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) provides a temporary improvement in platelet count, usually lasting 3-4 weeks. IVIG is made from human plasma. It is sometimes given as a long-term treatment, but must be administered every month in the doctor’s office over a course of 2-6 hours. IVIG is associated with side effects, including headaches and nausea.
  • Splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen), the only known "cure" for ITP, is effective in only two-thirds of cases. It is considered major surgery, and permanently increases the risk of serious infection.
  • Anti-D immunoglobulins (anti-Ds), also known as RhO(D) IgG or Rh immunoglobulins, are a relatively new treatment option. Rhophylac® is an anti-D. Like IVIGs, anti-Ds are made from human plasma and raise platelet counts, but take less time to administer (they are given intravenously in less than an hour). When used to treat ITP, anti-Ds are effective only in patients with an Rh-positive blood type and are associated with side effects that include chills, fever, and headache.

* Although these are some of the more common treatment options for ITP, a healthcare professional may prescribe other treatments (eg. Rituxan®, cyclosporin, etc.) or may combine treatments as appropriate for individual patients.

Rituxan® is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec Inc.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Rhophylac® is indicated to raise platelet counts in Rh0(D)-positive, non-splenectomized adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). For the treatment of ITP, Rhophylac® must be administered IV.

Rhophylac® is contraindicated in individuals with known anaphylactic or severe systemic reaction to human immune globulin products.

Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions may occur with Rhophylac®; early signs of hypersensitivity include generalized urticaria, chest tightness, wheezing, hypotension, and anaphylaxis. Individuals with selective IgA deficiency can develop antibodies to IgA and may develop severe hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. For these individuals, weigh the expected benefits of treatment against the potential risks.

Rhophylac® is derived from human plasma. As with all plasma-derived products, the risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.

The most serious adverse reactions in patients receiving Rh0(D) immune globulin have been observed in the treatment of ITP. ITP patients being treated with Rhophylac® should be monitored for signs and symptoms of intravascular hemolysis, including back pain, shaking chills, fever, and hemoglobinuria. Potentially serious complications of intravascular hemolysis include clinically compromising anemia, acute renal insufficiency, and, very rarely, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and death.

The most common adverse reactions observed in the treatment of ITP are chills, pyrexia/increased body temperature, and headache. Mild extravascular hemolysis has also been observed. In patients with preexisting anemia, weigh the benefits of Rhophylac® against the potential risk of increasing the severity of the anemia.

Please see full prescribing information.

 

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