What is anagrelide?
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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about anagrelide?
You should not use anagrelide if you are allergic to it, or if you have moderate to severe liver 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 often. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly. 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 discuss with my healthcare provider before taking anagrelide?
You should not use anagrelide if you are allergic to it, or if you have moderate to severe liver disease.
To make sure you can safely take anagrelide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
liver disease;
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
kidney disease; or
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether anagrelide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether anagrelide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using anagrelide.