Anagrelide lowers the number of blood clotting cells (platelets) in the body, which helps prevent
blood clots from forming.
Anagrelide is used to treat a condition called thrombocythemia (also called thrombocytosis).
Thrombocythemia is a blood cell disorder in which too many platelet cells are produced, causing
bleeding or blood-clotting problems.
Anagrelide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking anagrelide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to anagrelide, or if you have moderate
to severe liver or kidney disease.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before you take anagrelide, tell your doctor if you have:
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
kidney disease; or
liver disease.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether anagrelide is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether anagrelide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take anagrelide?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or
for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood
will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested.
Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly
can make your condition worse very quickly.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using
anagrelide. Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are taking anagrelide.
Store anagrelide at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of anagrelide?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about anagrelide?
Your pharmacist has information about anagrelide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of anagrelide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
dry cough, wheezing, night sweats;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling, rapid weight gain;
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the
body;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance;
fever, chills, flu symptoms;
severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back,
nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
seizure (convulsions);
feeling like you might pass out;
black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit
that looks like coffee grounds;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
blood in your urine, painful or difficult urination.
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness, mild headache;
mild rash or itching;
constipation, diarrhea, gas;
loss of appetite, mild nausea or stomach pain;
numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, nosebleed;
muscle or joint pain;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
blurred vision, ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about anagrelide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to anagrelide, or if you have moderate
to severe liver or kidney disease.
Before you take anagrelide, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, kidney disease, or liver
disease.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood
will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested.
Do not miss any scheduled appointments. Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are taking
anagrelide, especially if you need to have any type of surgery.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly
can make your condition worse very quickly.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as dry cough, trouble breathing,
swelling, fast or pounding heartbeats, chest pain, sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, problems
with speech or balance, severe stomach pain, seizure, fainting, blood in your urine or stools, easy
bruising or bleeding, or unusual weakness.
What should I avoid while taking anagrelide?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with anagrelide and lead to potentially dangerous
effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the
amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
What other drugs will affect anagrelide?
Tell your doctor if you also use:
fluvoxamine (Luvox);
theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl);
birth control pills; or
medication to treat congestive heart failure, such as
amrinone (inamrinone, Inocor), enoximone (Perfan), or milrinone (Primacor).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
anagrelide. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009