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. 2017 Dec;42(12):756–763.

Table 3.

First-Line Treatment Options for Immune Thrombocytopenia9,13,14,21,22

Dose Initial Response/Peak Response Response Rate Adverse Effects Comments Average Wholesale Price58
Prednisone (Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)a
0.5–2.0 mg/kg daily for 3–4 weeks 4–14 days/7–28 days 70–80% Insomnia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, mood disorders, weight gain, dizziness, edema Requires dose tapering $22.40 for 100
20-mg tablets
Dexamethasone (Par Pharmaceutical)a
40 mg daily for 4 consecutive days every 2–4 weeks, 1–4 cycles 2–14 days/4–28 days Up to 90% Same as prednisone, but less frequent Faster onset of action than prednisone $98.85 for 100
6-mg tablets
Intravenous Immune Globulin (Gammagard liquid, Baxalta, Inc.)b
1 g/kg daily for 1–2 days 1–3 days/2–7 days Up to 85% Infusion-related reactions, nephrotoxicity First-line if corticosteroids are contraindicated or produce suboptimal response $783.80 for 50-mL vial (100 mg/1 mL)
Anti-D Immune Globulin (WinRho SDF, Aptevo Biotherapeutics LLC)b
50–75 mcg/kg 1–3 days/3–7 days 70–80% Hemolysis Only in D-positive patients; monitor patients for 8 hours after administration $514.35 for 1.3-mL vial (300 mcg)
a

Cost represents lowest average wholesale price for generic drug available at the time of writing.

b

Representative product commonly used in clinical practice.