Thrombocytopenia – indications for thrombopoietic cytokines administration

The most common cause of isolated thrombocytopenia is primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). For patients failing initial corticosteroid-based treatment and with refractory ITP post-splenectomy, thrombopoietin receptor agonists are indicated. Two of this thrombopoiesis-stimulating agents have been approved for use in ITP – eltrombopag, formulated for oral administration, once a day and romiplostim, which is administered weekly as a subcutaneous injection