Renal impairment

No formal clinical studies have been conducted in these patient populations. Nplate should be used with caution in these populations.

4.3 Contraindications

 Hypersensitivity to the active substance, to any of the excipients or to E. coli derived proteins.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

 The following special warnings and precautions have been actually observed or are potential class effects based on the pharmacological mechanism of action of thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor stimulators.

Reoccurrence of thrombocytopenia and bleeding after cessation of treatment

Thrombocytopenia is likely to reoccur upon discontinuation of treatment with romiplostim. There is an increased risk of bleeding if romiplostim treatment is discontinued in the presence of anticoagulants or anti-platelet agents. Patients should be closely monitored for a decrease in platelet count and medically managed to avoid bleeding upon discontinuation of treatment with romiplostim. It is recommended that, if treatment with romiplostim is discontinued, ITP treatment be restarted according to current treatment guidelines. Additional medical management may include cessation of anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy, reversal of anticoagulation, or platelet support.

Increased bone marrow reticulin

Increased bone marrow reticulin is believed to be a result of TPO receptor stimulation, leading to an increased number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, which may subsequently release cytokines. Increased reticulin may be suggested by morphological changes in the peripheral blood cells and can be detected through bone marrow biopsy. Therefore, examinations for cellular morphological abnormalities using peripheral blood smear and complete blood count (CBC) prior to and during treatment with romiplostim are recommended. See section 4.8 for information on the increases of reticulin observed in romiplostim clinical trials.

If a loss of efficacy and abnormal peripheral blood smear is observed in patients, administration of romiplostim should be discontinued, a physical examination should be performed, and a bone marrow biopsy with appropriate staining for reticulin should be considered. If available, comparison to a prior bone marrow biopsy should be made. If efficacy is maintained and abnormal peripheral blood smear is observed in patients, the physician should follow appropriate clinical judgment, including consideration of a bone marrow biopsy, and the risk-benefit of romiplostim and alternative ITP treatment options should be re-assessed.

Thrombotic/thromboembolic complications

Platelet counts above the normal range present a theoretical risk for thrombotic/thromboembolic complications. The incidence of thrombotic/thromboembolic events observed in clinical trials was similar between romiplostim and placebo, and an association between these events and elevated platelet counts was not observed. Caution should be used when administering romiplostim to patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism including but not limited to inherited (e.g. Factor V Leiden) or acquired risk factors (e.g. ATIII deficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome), advanced age, patients with prolonged periods of immobilisation, malignancies, contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, su