Table 1.

Therapeutic options for immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Corticosteroids for initial therapy

Prednisone, taper to response

Dexamethasone, pulse

Other temporary and “rescue” therapies

Intravenous immunoglobulin, high dose

Anti-Rh D (WinRho)

Longer term treatments

Rituximab

Danazol

Splenectomy

Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic therapies

Azathioprine

Cyclophosphamide

Vincristine

Cyclosporine A

Mycophenolate

Desperation and rarely used

Plasmapheresis

Protein A column immunoadsorption

Combination chemotherapy

Stem cell transplant strategies

New thrombopoietin mimetics

Romiplostim

Eltrombopag

AKR-501 (experimental)

LGD-4665 (experimental)