Eltrombopag.: Antithrombocytopenic, thrombopoietin receptor agonist.

Eltrombopag is an orally available small-molecule platelet growth factor being developed for the treatment of thrombocytopenia, a condition in which a reduced number of platelets in the bloodstream predisposes the patient to bleeding. Thrombocytopenia complicates a number of diseases, including end-stage liver disease, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, certain myelo-suppressive therapies (including intensive chemotherapies) and chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Eltrombopag interacts with the thrombopoietin receptor of bone marrow megakaryocytes to stimulate the production of new platelets. In patients with ITP and patients with HCV-associated thrombocytopenia, eltrombopag significantly increased platelet counts compared to placebo.