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anagrelide - oral, Agrylin

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GENERIC NAME: ANAGRELIDE - ORAL (an-AG-re-lide)

BRAND NAME(S): Agrylin

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Anagrelide is used to treat a certain blood disorder (thrombocythemia), which is caused by your bone marrow making too many platelets. Platelets are a blood cell that the body uses to form blood clots. Too many platelets can cause problems with your circulation, including unwanted blood clots and bleeding problems. This drug reduces the number of platelets in the bloodstream by blocking their production.

HOW TO USE: This medicine may come with a Patient Information Leaflet. Read it carefully if available. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine.Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2 or 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Children or people with liver problems may start out by taking only 1 dose each day. Your doctor will adjust your dose, usually once a week, to find the best dose for you that keeps your blood counts closer to normal. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. You should not take more than 2.5 milligrams in a single dose or more than a total of 10 milligrams in a day.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. People with high platelets may not feel sick. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Stopping anagrelide will cause your platelets to go back up.Your doctor will check your blood counts regularly to monitor your progress and adjust your dose.

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