Generic name: tacrolimus (oral/injection) [ ta-KROE-li-mus ]
Brand names: Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf, Hecoria
Dosage forms: intravenous solution (5 mg/mL); oral capsule (0.5 mg; 1 mg; 5 mg); oral capsule, extended release (0.5 mg; 1 mg; 5 mg); oral granule for reconstitution (0.2 mg; 1 mg); oral tablet, extended release (0.75 mg; 1 mg; 4 mg)
Drug class: Calcineurin inhibitors
Thrombomax (IL-11) is a new treatment option which is FDA approved & now available in Pakistan for Thrombocytopenic patients.
Thrombomax, Interleukin eleven (IL-11) is a thrombopoietic growth factor that directly stimulates the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells and induces megakaryocyte maturation resulting in increased platelet production. IL-11 is a member of a family of human growth factors. Oprelvekin, the active ingredient in Thrombomax, is produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) by recombinant DNA technology. Trials have shown that mature megakaryocytes which develop during in vivo treatment with Thrombomax are ultra-structurally normal and possessed a normal life span.
Thrombomax is indicated for the prevention of severe thrombocytopenia and the reduction of the need for platelet transfusions following myelosuppressive chemotherapy in adult patients with non-myeloid malignancies who are at high risk of severe thrombocytopenia. Efficacy was demonstrated in patients who had experienced severe thrombocytopenia following the previous chemotherapy cycle. Thrombomax is not indicated following myeloablative chemotherapy.
Mean time to platelet recovery to ≥20,000 cells/µL with rhIL-11 is at least 2.5 days vs 6.4 days for
placebo patients. [3]
Mean time to platelet recovery to ≥ 50,000 cells/µL with rhIL-11 is at least 9.3 days vs 13.0 days
with placebo. [3]