Frequently asked questions about Nplate® (romiplostim)

When should I prescribe Nplate® for my patients with adult chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)?

How is Nplate® administered or dosed?

How quickly does Nplate® work, and when may a platelet response become apparent?

What if a patient misses a dose of Nplate®? What should patients do if they’re traveling and cannot visit their physician for their weekly dose of Nplate®?

Is financial assistance available for patients on treatment with Nplate®?

Who should I contact if I have a question about Nplate® or would like to report an adverse event?

When should I prescribe Nplate® for my patients with adult chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)?

Nplate® is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy.11

Nplate® is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or any cause of thrombocytopenia other than chronic ITP. Nplate® should be used only in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increase the risk for bleeding. Nplate® should not be used in an attempt to normalize platelet counts.11

Review the Nplate® pivotal trials data

How is Nplate® administered or dosed?

Nplate® is administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection. The initial dose for Nplate® is 1 mcg/kg based on the patient's actual body weight at initiation.11 Please refer to the full Prescribing Information for complete dosing and administration information including reconstitution, dose adjustments, and monitoring requirements.11

Full Prescribing Information

How quickly does Nplate® work, and when may a platelet response become apparent?

Individual responses on Nplate® will vary from patient to patient.

In the two parallel, double-blind, phase 3 trials, patients with ITP who had completed at least one prior treatment and had a platelet count of ≤ 30 x 109/L prior to study entry were randomized (2:1) to 24 weeks of Nplate® (1 mcg/kg subcutaneous) or placebo.1,71,7

Dose adjustments were based on platelet counts. Patients could have doses of concurrent ITP medications adjusted only during the first 12 weeks.1,71,7

  • A durable platelet response was the achievement of a weekly platelet count ≥ 50 x 109/L for any 6 of the last 8 weeks of the 24-week treatment period in the absence of rescue medication at any time.1,71,7
  • A transient platelet response was the achievement of weekly platelet counts ≥ 50 x 109/L for any 4 weeks during the treatment period without a durable platelet response.1,71,7
  • An overall platelet response was the achievement of either a durable or a transient platelet response. Platelet responses were excluded for 8 weeks after receiving rescue medications.1,71,7

Weeks 0-3 platelet counts across two 6-month pivotal trials
50% of patients achieved median platelet counts of ≥ 50 x 109/L within 2-3 weeks.77

Durable platelet response
61% of non-splenectomized patients achieved a durable platelet response during the last 8 weeks of the study.1,71,7

Review the Nplate® pivotal trials data

What if a patient misses a dose of Nplate®? What should patients do if they’re traveling and cannot visit their physician for their weekly dose of Nplate®?

If a patient misses their scheduled dose of Nplate®, they should call their healthcare provider to arrange for their next dose as soon as possible.

If a patient plans to travel, the patient or their healthcare provider can call Nplate® Navigator in advance at 1-855-7Nplate (1-855-767-5283). An Nplate® Navigator patient support specialist will access a list of board-certified physicians who may be able to give the patient their Nplate® injection at their destination.

Please note that Amgen does not endorse or recommend any healthcare provider. In consultation with their healthcare provider, the patient should make his or her own decision regarding their treatment options.

Learn more about Nplate® Navigator

Is financial assistance available for patients on treatment with Nplate®?

Amgen Assist 360™ provides your patients access to support for Nplate®.

Contact Amgen Assist 360™ at 1-888-4ASSIST or visit AmgenAssist360.com for more information.

Learn more about Amgen Assist 360™

Who should I contact if I have a question about Nplate® or would like to report an adverse event?

If you have a clinical question about Nplate® or would like to report an adverse event related to Nplate®, please contact Amgen Medical Information. Amgen healthcare professionals can be accessed 24/7.

Call 1‑800‑77‑AMGEN1‑800‑77‑AMGEN (1‑800‑772‑64361‑800‑772‑6436) or access Amgen Medical Information online.

Click here to connect

Important Safety Information

Risk of Progression of Myelodysplastic Syndromes to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

  • In Nplate® (romiplostim) clinical trials of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and severe thrombocytopenia, progression from MDS to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) has been observed.
  • Nplate® is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to MDS or any cause of thrombocytopenia other than chronic ITP.

Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Complications

  • Thrombotic/thromboembolic complications may result from increases in platelet counts with Nplate® use. Portal vein thrombosis has been reported in patients with chronic liver disease receiving Nplate®.
  • To minimize the risk for thrombotic/thromboembolic complications, do not use Nplate® in an attempt to normalize platelet counts. Follow the dose adjustment guidelines to achieve and maintain a platelet count of ≥ 50 x 109/L.

Loss of Response to Nplate®

  • Hyporesponsiveness or failure to maintain a platelet response with Nplate® should prompt a search for causative factors, including neutralizing antibodies to Nplate®.
  • To detect antibody formation, submit blood samples to Amgen (1‑800‑772‑64361‑800‑772‑6436). Amgen will assay these samples for antibodies to Nplate® and thrombopoietin (TPO).
  • Discontinue Nplate® if the platelet count does not increase to a level sufficient to avoid clinically important bleeding after 4 weeks at the highest weekly dose of 10 mcg/kg.

Laboratory Monitoring

  • Obtain CBCs, including platelet counts, weekly during the dose adjustment phase of Nplate® therapy and then monthly following establishment of a stable Nplate® dose.
  • Obtain CBCs, including platelet counts, weekly for at least two weeks following discontinuation of Nplate®.

Adverse Reactions

  • In the placebo-controlled trials, headache was the most commonly reported adverse drug reaction, occurring in 35% of patients receiving Nplate® and 32% of patients receiving placebo. Headaches were usually of mild or moderate severity.
  • Most common adverse reactions (≥ 5% higher patient incidence in Nplate® versus placebo) were Arthralgia (26%, 20%), Dizziness (17%, 0%), Insomnia (16%, 7%), Myalgia (14%, 2%), Pain in Extremity (13%, 5%), Abdominal Pain (11%, 0%), Shoulder Pain (8%, 0%), Dyspepsia (7%, 0%), and Paresthesia (6%, 0%).
  • Nplate® administration may increase the risk for development or progression of reticulin fiber formation within the bone marrow. This formation may improve upon discontinuation of Nplate®. In a clinical trial, one patient with ITP and hemolytic anemia developed marrow fibrosis with collagen during Nplate® therapy.


Women who become pregnant during Nplate® treatment are encouraged to enroll in Amgen's Pregnancy Surveillance Program. Patients or their physicians should call 1‑800‑77‑AMGEN1‑800‑77‑AMGEN (1‑800‑772‑64361‑800‑772‑6436) to enroll.

Indication

Nplate® is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy.

Nplate® is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or any cause of thrombocytopenia other than chronic ITP. Nplate® should be used only in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increase the risk for bleeding. Nplate® should not be used in an attempt to normalize platelet counts.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

See More Close

Important Safety Information

Risk of Progression of Myelodysplastic Syndromes to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

  • In Nplate® (romiplostim) clinical trials of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and severe thrombocytopenia, progression from MDS to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) has been observed.
  • Nplate® is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to MDS or any cause of thrombocytopenia other than chronic ITP.

Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Complications

  • Thrombotic/thromboembolic complications may result from increases in platelet counts with Nplate® use. Portal vein thrombosis has been reported in patients with chronic liver disease receiving Nplate®.
  • To minimize the risk for thrombotic/thromboembolic complications, do not use Nplate® in an attempt to normalize platelet counts. Follow the dose adjustment guidelines to achieve and maintain a platelet count of ≥ 50 x 109/L.

Loss of Response to Nplate®

  • Hyporesponsiveness or failure to maintain a platelet response with Nplate® should prompt a search for causative factors, including neutralizing antibodies to Nplate®.
  • To detect antibody formation, submit blood samples to Amgen (1‑800‑772‑64361‑800‑772‑6436). Amgen will assay these samples for antibodies to Nplate® and thrombopoietin (TPO).
  • Discontinue Nplate® if the platelet count does not increase to a level sufficient to avoid clinically important bleeding after 4 weeks at the highest weekly dose of 10 mcg/kg.

Laboratory Monitoring

  • Obtain CBCs, including platelet counts, weekly during the dose adjustment phase of Nplate® therapy and then monthly following establishment of a stable Nplate® dose.
  • Obtain CBCs, including platelet counts, weekly for at least two weeks following discontinuation of Nplate®.

Adverse Reactions

  • In the placebo-controlled trials, headache was the most commonly reported adverse drug reaction, occurring in 35% of patients receiving Nplate® and 32% of patients receiving placebo. Headaches were usually of mild or moderate severity.
  • Most common adverse reactions (≥ 5% higher patient incidence in Nplate® versus placebo) were Arthralgia (26%, 20%), Dizziness (17%, 0%), Insomnia (16%, 7%), Myalgia (14%, 2%), Pain in Extremity (13%, 5%), Abdominal Pain (11%, 0%), Shoulder Pain (8%, 0%), Dyspepsia (7%, 0%), and Paresthesia (6%, 0%).
  • Nplate® administration may increase the risk for development or progression of reticulin fiber formation within the bone marrow. This formation may improve upon discontinuation of Nplate®. In a clinical trial, one patient with ITP and hemolytic anemia developed marrow fibrosis with collagen during Nplate® therapy.

Women who become pregnant during Nplate® treatment are encouraged to enroll in Amgen's Pregnancy Surveillance Program. Patients or their physicians should call 1‑800‑77‑AMGEN1‑800‑77‑AMGEN (1‑800‑772‑64361‑800‑772‑6436) to enroll.

Indication

Nplate® is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy.

Nplate® is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or any cause of thrombocytopenia other than chronic ITP. Nplate® should be used only in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increase the risk for bleeding. Nplate® should not be used in an attempt to normalize platelet counts.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

References: 1. Nplate® (romiplostim) prescribing information, Amgen. 2. Cines DB, McMillan R. Management of adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Annu Rev Med. 2005;56:425-442. 3. Cines DB, Blanchette VS. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura. N Engl J Med. 2002;346:995-1008. 4. Provan D, Stasi R, Newland AC, et al. International consensus report on the investigation and management of primary immune thrombocytopenia. Blood. 2010;115:168-186. 5. Neunert C, Lim W, Crowther M, Cohen A, Solberg L Jr, Crowther MA. The American Society of Hematology 2011 evidence-based practice guideline for immune thrombocytopenia. Blood. 2011;117:4190-4207. 6. Wang B, Nichol JL, Sullivan JT. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of AMG 531, a novel thrombopoietin receptor ligand. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004;76:628-638. 7. Kuter DJ, Bussel JB, Lyons RM, et al. Efficacy of romiplostim in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2008;371:395-403.

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