Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

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Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

In children, the disease often runs its course without treatment.

In adults, the initial treatment is usually with a drug called prednisone. A splenectomy (removal of the spleen) is sometimes advised. The spleen is the major site of platelet destruction, but removal of the spleen will only bring up the platelet count in 50% of people.

Other treatments (when the disease does not respond to initial treatment) are:

• Oral danazol
• High-dose gamma globulin injections
• Drugs that suppress the immune system
• Passing the blood over a protein A (Prosorba) column, which filters antibodies out of the blood stream
• Anti-RhD therapy can also be useful in people with specific blood types

People with ITP should avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and warfarin because these drugs interfere with platelet function and blood clotting, and bleeding may occur.

The chance of remission (a symptom-free period) is good with prednisone or a splenectomy. Rarely, ITP may become a chronic ailment in adults and reappear, even after remission.

• Severe bleeding
• Bleeding into the brain or loss of blood into the digestive tract

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if severe bleeding occurs or other new symptoms develop.

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