Frequently Asked Questions

The most common side effects of PROMACTA in children 1 year and older when used to treat persistent or chronic ITP are:

• upper respiratory tract infection (symptoms may include runny nose, stuffy nose, and sneezing)
• pain or swelling (inflammation) in your nose or throat (nasopharyngitis)

There may be other less common but more serious side effects. Discuss potential side effects of PROMACTA with your health care provider.

PROMACTA is a prescription medication, so you will have to work with your doctor to see if it is the right treatment for your child’s persistent or chronic ITP. Questions about cost? Click here to learn about the PROMACTA co-pay card and other patient support.

Here are 3 important things to know:

 

1. PROMACTA can be taken without a meal or with a meal low in calcium (≤50 mg)
2. PROMACTA should be taken 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking medications like antacids, mineral supplements, or foods that are high in calcium
3. Weekly doctor visits aren't required for administration of PROMACTA

 

Click here to learn more tips about taking PROMACTA.

Tablets:

• Store PROMACTA tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Keep PROMACTA in the bottle given to you

For oral suspension:

• Store PROMACTA for oral suspension at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• After mixing, PROMACTA should be taken right away but may be stored for no more than 30 minutes between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Throw away (discard) the mixture if not used within 30 minutes

You and your doctor will need to work together to determine which activities are safe with your child’s platelet count. The good news is that most children with ITP can still do a number of different sports. Click here for a list and other tips about living with persistent or chronic ITP.

People may be curious about ITP and might ask questions to learn more about the disease. To help them understand, it could be useful to prepare answers to their questions. Click here to see example conversations about ITP.

First, check out our PROMACTA Patient Support Program by clicking here.

 

For information on financial support programs, click here.

 

Other useful resources include:

 

Platelet Disorder Support Association www.pdsa.org

• A helpful resource for ITP education, advocacy, research, and support. This site can help you find ITP experts or hematology centers of excellence near you

 

Foundation for Women & Girls with Blood Disorders (FWGBD) www.fwgbd.org/patient

• Helping to ensure that all women with blood disorders are correctly diagnosed and treated at every stage of life

 

ITP and Me www.itpandme.com

• Provides patients with ITP with medical support as well as emotional, lifestyle, and daily ITP guidance 

American Society of Hematology www.hematology.org/education/patients

• Furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of certain blood and bone disorders

 

HealthyChildren.org www.healthychildren.org

• A site run by the American Society of Pediatrics. The chronic condition section might be especially useful for parents of children with persistent or chronic ITP

 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) www.nhlbi.nih.gov

• NHLBI promotes the prevention and treatment of heart diseases, lung diseases, and blood diseases such as ITP

 

National Organization for Rare Disorders www.rarediseases.org

• Providing a unified voice for those with rare diseases and their caregivers, seeking to help them so they won’t have to fight that battle alone