Nplate is the trade name for arginine-^^ nitroglycerin (ADC) or activated coagulation factor VII. It’s FDA-approved to treat adults and children with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a rare blood disorder that makes it hard for the body to make new platelets. Nplate works by releasing arginine and nitroglycerin, which are natural substances that help make new blood cells.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with ITP, you probably have lots of questions about how it affects your body and what treatments may be available. This article will answer some of these questions and provide helpful information about the treatment in adults and children with ITP.
What is Nplate?
Nplate is a prescription medication that’s used to treat adults and children with ITP. Nplate contains arginine-^^ nitroglycerin (ADC), which is a natural substance that’s made by the body to help make new blood cells. In ITP, the body is unable to make enough platelets to clot blood, so taking Nplate helps to increase platelet counts by releasing arginine and nitroglycerin, which helps the body make more platelets.
Nplate comes as a powder that you need to mix with water before you use it. It’s broken down into 3 different dosing regimens, called “cycles”, for adults and children. Each cycle consists of 3 doses a day for 5 to 7 days, followed by an off-cycle of 4 days during which no doses are taken.
How does Nplate Work?
Nplate works by releasing arginine and nitroglycerin, which are natural substances that help make new blood cells. In ITP, the body is unable to make enough platelets to clot blood, so taking Nplate helps to increase platelet counts by releasing arginine and nitroglycerin, which helps the body make more platelets.
Arginine, which is a simple amino acid found in protein foods, is needed for the body to make new blood cells. In Nplate, arginine is converted to nitroglycerin (a type of vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels), and then released into the bloodstream where it’s able to help the body make new blood cells.
With any medication, there is the risk of side effects. The side effects of Nplate are generally mild, but you should know about them so that you can recognize them if they occur. If the side effects are mild and don’t bother you much, you can just try to manage them with lifestyle changes, such as getting more rest, drinking plenty of water, and eating healthy foods. If they’re more severe, you might want to speak with your doctor about changing the dosage of Nplate or changing to a different blood-thinning medication. The most common side effects of Nplate are the following:
- Thicker blood (increased risk of blood clots)
- Nplate is a blood thinner. It works by releasing arginine and nitroglycerin, which help the body make new blood cells. However, this process also results in thicker blood, which can increase the risk of blood clots.
- Increased risk of bleeding
- Nplate may also cause bleeding since it causes thicker blood.
You may want to be careful when doing activities that may result in bleeding, such as dental work, bone marrow biopsies, or surgeries. You should also be careful if you have a condition that makes you bleed more easily, such as a bleeding disorder.
How to administer Nplate for adults
Cycle 1: 2 doses each day for 5 consecutive days, followed by 1 day off.
Cycle 2: 2 doses each day for 5 consecutive days, followed by 3 days off.
Cycle 3: 2 doses each day for 7 consecutive days, followed by 1 day off.
How to administer Nplate for children
Cycle 1: 2 doses each day for 5 consecutive days, followed by 1 day off.
Cycle 2: 2 doses each day for 5 consecutive days, followed by 3 days off.
Cycle 3: 2 doses each day for 7 consecutive days, followed by 1 day off.
Final Words: Nplate: The Treatment for ITP in Adults and Children
Nplate is the trade name for arginine-^^ nitroglycerin (ADC) or activated coagulation factor VII. It’s FDA-approved to treat adults and children with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a rare blood disorder that makes it hard for the body to make new platelets. Nplate works by releasing arginine and nitroglycerin, which are natural substances that help make new blood cells.