Generic
Avatrombopag
(A-va-TROM-bo-pag)
Brand
Doptelet®
(DOP-te-let)
Additional resources
Avatromobopag (Doptelet®) is used to treat patients with low platelet count either due to liver disease or immune thrombocytopenia.
Our Medication Sheet
This sheet is available to download as an Adobe PDF.
Page 1 Name of your medication Generic name — avatrombopag (A-va-TROM-bo-pag) Brand name — Doptelet® (DOP-te-let) Approved uses Avatromobopag is used to treat patients with low platelet count either due to liver disease or immune thrombocytopenia. Dose and schedule Taking avatrombopag as instructed is important to allow your treatment to be as effective as possible, so here are some key points to remember. o Your dose may vary, but the usual dose of avatrombopag is 20 milligrams (20 mg), 40 mg, or 60 mg (based on your indication and platelet count) to be taken by mouth at a scheduled time each day. o Avatromobopag should be taken with food at the same time each day. o Avatromobopag should be taken whole and not crushed, cut, or dissolved. If you are unable to swallow avatrombopag, talk to your care provider or pharmacist for possible options. o If you miss a dose of avatrombopag, do not take an extra dose or two doses at one time. Simply take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Be sure to write down if you miss a dose, and let your care provider know about any missed doses. Drug and food interactions o Avatromobopag has many drug interactions. Inform your care providers of all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. o Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may interact with avatrombopag; avoid eating or drinking these during treatment with avatrombopag. o Talk with your care provider or pharmacist before taking new medications or supplements, or receiving any vaccines. Storage and handling Handle avatrombopag with care. Just like when chemotherapy is given into the vein, this drug can be toxic, and exposure of the drug to others should be limited. o Store avatrombopag at room temperature (68°F–77°F) in a dry location away from light. o Keep avatrombopag out of reach of children and pets. o Leave avatrombopag in the provided packaging until it is ready to be taken. o Whenever possible, you should give avatrombopag to yourself and follow the steps below. If a family member, friend, or caregiver needs to give avatrombopag to you, they also need to follow these steps: 1. Wash hands with soap and water. 2. Put on gloves to avoid touching the medication. (Gloves are not necessary if you give the drug to yourself.) AVATROMBOPAG ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 2 Side Effects of Avatrombopag Below are common side effects that have been known to happen in about one-third or more of patients taking avatrombopag are listed on the left side of this table. You MAY NOT experience these side effects. Options to help manage any side effects that do occur are included on the right side of this table. These should be discussed with your care provider. If you experience any side effect you cannot manage or that is not listed here, contact your care provider. Possible Side Effect Management Headache Ask your provider what you may use to help with this discomfort. Contact your care provider right away if you headache has any of the following characteristics: • Follows a head injury • Is severe or starts suddenly • Does not go away after three days • Is associated with vomiting, visual disturbance, neck stiffness, drowsiness, confusion, rash, weakness in an arm or leg, or numbness, or is made worse by coughing or lowering the head Fatigue You may be more tired than usual or have less energy. • Stay as active as possible, but know it is OK to rest as needed. • Try to do some activity every day. • Plan your activities, and do them at a time of day when you feel a bit more energetic. • Avoid operating heavy machinery if you feel too tired. 3. Gently transfer the avatrombopag from its package to a small medicine or other disposable cup. 4. Administer the medicine immediately by mouth with water. 5. Remove gloves and do not use them for anything else. 6. Throw gloves and medicine cup in household trash. 7. Wash hands with soap and water. o A daily pill box or pill reminder is not recommended to be used with avatrombopag. o If you have any unused avatrombopag, do not throw it in the trash and do not flush it down the sink or toilet. Talk to your care provider or pharmacist about proper disposal of avatrombopag. o If you are traveling, put your avatrombopag’s packaging in a sealed plastic bag. Ask your pharmacist if any additional travel precautions are needed. Page 3 Serious side effects o Avatrombopag can increase your risk of having a blood clot. Seek immediate medical attention if you have sudden swelling in an arm or leg, have chest pain, or trouble breathing. If you experience ANY uncontrolled side effect, call your physician or healthcare center immediately: (INSTITUTIONAL CONTACT INFO) Handling body fluids and waste Because avatrombopag remains in your body for several days after it is taken, some of the drug may be present in urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Once you have started to take avatrombopag, it is important to follow the instructions below every day for as long as your treatment lasts. This is to keep yourself, loved ones, and the environment as safe as possible. o Pregnant women should avoid touching anything that may be soiled with body fluids from the patient. o Toilet and septic systems • You may use the same toilet, septic tank, and/or sewer that you usually use. If you have a low-flow toilet, close the lid and flush twice to ensure all waste has been discarded. • If the toilet or toilet seat becomes soiled with urine, stool, or vomit, clean the surfaces before other people use the toilet. • Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. o If you need a bedpan, be sure your caregiver knows to wear gloves to assist with cleanup and to wash the bedpan with soap and water every day. o If you do not have good control of bladder or bowels, use a disposable pad with a plastic back, a diaper, or a sheet to absorb body waste. o Wash any skin that has been exposed to body waste or avatrombopag with soap and water. o Linens or clothing that are soiled with body fluids or body waste should be washed separately from other linens and clothing. If you do not have a washer, place the soiled linens in a plastic bag until they can be washed. o Wash hands with soap and water after touching linens or clothing that may be soiled with body fluids. Pregnancy, sexual activity, and contraception o Women should not become pregnant and men should not get a partner pregnant while taking avatrombopag. Males and females of childbearing age and potential should use effective contraception during therapy. o Effective contraception could include one or more of the following: oral contraceptive, barrier methods, etc. o Do not breastfeed while taking avatrombopag and for two weeks after the last dose of avatrombopag. o Inform your care provider if you become pregnant. o It is safe to hug and kiss. Special precautions may be needed for sexual activity while on oral chemotherapy, and you are encouraged to ask your care provider. Page 4 Obtaining medication o Talk with your care provider about the process for obtaining your avatrombopag. (PHARMACY OR SPECIALTY PHARMACY CONTACT INFO) Additional resources Product website: www.doptelet.com Product prescribing information: https://doptelet.com/themes/pdf/prescribing-information.pdf Product resources: https://doptelet.com/itp/doptelet-copay Updated – October 28, 2021 Additional instructions Important notice: The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA), National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. (NCODA), and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) have collaborated in gathering information for and developing this patient education guide. This guide represents a brief summary of the medication derived from information provided by the drug manufacturer and other resources. This guide does not cover all existing information related to the possible uses, directions, doses, precautions, warnings, interactions, adverse effects, or risks associated with this medication and should not substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Provision of this guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of this medication by ACCC, HOPA, NCODA, or ONS, who assume no liability for and cannot ensure the accuracy of the information presented. The collaborators are not making any representations with respect to the medications whatsoever, and any and all decisions, with respect to such medications, are at the sole risk of the individual consuming the medication. All decisions related to taking this medication should be made with the guidance and under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional. Permission: Oral Chemotherapy Education (OCE) sheets are provided as a free educational resource for patients with cancer in need of concise, easy-to-understand information about oral cancer drugs. Healthcare providers are permitted to copy and distribute the sheets to patients as well as direct patients to the OCE website for information. However, commercial reproduction or reuse, as well as rebranding or reposting of any type, are strictly prohibited without permission of the copyright holder. Please email permission requests and licensing inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Copyright © 2021 by Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved.