Anagrelide (By mouth)

Introduction

Anagrelide (an-AG-re-lide)

Treats a blood disorder called thrombocythemia where there are too many platelets in the blood.

Brand Name(s)

Agrylin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using aspirin, amrinone (Inocor®), cilostazol (Pletal®), enoximone (Perfan®), fluvoxamine (Luvox®), milrinone (Primacor®), olprinone (Coretec®), sucralfate (Carafate®), or theophylline (Theo-Dur®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you or your child have liver disease, heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or a condition called interstitial lung disease.
• This medicine may cause unwanted effects on the heart. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have chest pain or discomfort; decreased urine output; dilated neck veins; extreme fatigue; a fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse; irregular breathing; nausea; pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck; shortness of breath; sweating; swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs; tightness in the chest; trouble with breathing; vomiting; weight gain; or wheezing. These could be symptoms of a serious heart problem.
• Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach; pale stools; dark urine; a loss of appetite; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
• Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have breathing problems, a cough, a fever, a fast heartbeat, or shortness of breath. These could be symptoms of a serious lung problem.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely. To do so will cause the platelet level in your blood to increase quickly.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Trouble with breathing or shortness of breath.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain.
• Diarrhea, gas, or stomach pain or upset.
• Feeling tired or dizzy.
• Headache.
• Loss of appetite.
• Rash or itching skin.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088