Table 1.

Administration, efficacy and potential side effects of standard therapies

	Dosing	Method of administration	Efficacy37 (platelet*)	Short-term potential side effects
Prednisone	4 mg/kg/day × 4–7 days†	Oral	~70%–80%	Mood changes, hyperglycaemic, hypertension, weight gain
Intravenous immunoglobulin	0.8–1 g/kg	Intravenous	~70%–80%	Headache, influenza-like symptoms, allergic reaction, neutropaenia, haemolytic anaemia Black box: thrombosis, renal failure
Anti-D immunoglobulin	50–75 µg/kg	Intravenous	~70%–80%	Anaemia, fevers, nausea Black box: intravascular haemolysis, DIC, renal failure

*Definition of platelet response varies depending on study.

†A number of steroid regimens are used.

DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.;