Agrylin

Thrombocytosis, Myeloproliferative Disorders

Treatment

4 FDA approvals

2 Active Studies for Agrylin

What is Agrylin

Anagrelide

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Anagrelide is a medication used to reduce high platelet levels in people with myeloproliferative neoplasms. It was approved in 1997 and has been found to be more effective and better tolerated than other platelet-reducing medications such as busulfan and hydroxyurea. Anagrelide comes in the form of an oral pill.

Agrylin

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Agrylin Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Agrylin

Anagrelide

1997

14

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Anagrelide, commonly known as Agrylin, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses like Thrombocytosis and Myeloproliferative Disorders .

Thrombocytosis

Myeloproliferative Disorders

Thrombocythemia

Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD)

Effectiveness

How Agrylin Affects Patients

Anagrelide reduces the number of platelets in the blood by blocking the production of the cells that create them. It needs to be taken several times a day, but it may take up to two weeks for it to start having an effect. Animal studies suggest it could affect female fertility, so women should be warned of this risk before taking the drug.

How Agrylin works in the body

Anagrelide works to reduce platelet count, but it isn't clear exactly how. It seems to disrupt the development of megakaryocytes, the cells that produce platelets, which leads to a decrease in their size and number. Anagrelide is also known to block an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 3A, but this effect doesn't appear to be related to its impact on platelet counts. It is possible that this blocking action prevents cells from dividing and can lead to apoptosis, making it useful in the treatment of certain types of cancer.

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed dosage of Agrylin is contingent upon the diagnosed condition. The quantity of dosage is contingent upon the mode of administration featured in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Thrombocytosis

0.5 mg, , 1.0 mg

, Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Myeloproliferative Disorders

0.5 mg, , 1.0 mg

, Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Warnings

Agrylin has a single contraindication, so it should not be employed in combination with the conditions listed in the table below.

Agrylin Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hepatic Impairment

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Agrylin.

Common Agrylin Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abrocitinib

Major

The risk or severity of bleeding and thrombocytopenia can be increased when Anagrelide is combined with Abrocitinib.

Aminophylline

Major

The metabolism of Aminophylline can be decreased when combined with Anagrelide.

Amiodarone

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Anagrelide is combined with Amiodarone.

Amrinone

Major

The risk or severity of congestive heart failure, bleeding, hypotension, and Tachycardia can be increased when Anagrelide is combined with Amrinone.

Arsenic trioxide

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Anagrelide is combined with Arsenic trioxide.

Agrylin Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The least toxic dose of anagrelide for rats is greater than 1500mg/kg and for mice is greater than 2500mg/kg. Overdoses may cause low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and vomiting. Since anagrelide reduces platelet counts, overdoses can lead to dangerously low platelet levels. Treatment for anagrelide overdoses should involve monitoring for bleeding or other related complications, as well as providing any necessary supportive measures.

Agrylin Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Agrylin?

Currently, two clinical trials are underway to evaluate the potential of Agrylin in ameliorating Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD).

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Myeloproliferative Disorders

2 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 2

Thrombocytosis

0 Actively Recruiting

Agrylin Reviews: What are patients saying about Agrylin?

5

Patient Review

11/19/2011

Agrylin for Elevated Platelets with Rapid Growth of Bone Marrow

I've been using Agrylin for eight years now, and it's really helped me. My platelet count was 1.5 million when I started, and it's since come down to 400,000. The only side effects I've experienced are rapid heartbeats and some hair loss, but they're not big deals compared to the alternative.

5

Patient Review

3/20/2012

Agrylin for Elevated Platelets with Rapid Growth of Bone Marrow

I've been on agrylin for three years now, and it's helped me bring my platelet count down from 100,000 to 397,000.

4.3

Patient Review

6/14/2010

Agrylin for Elevated Platelets with Rapid Growth of Bone Marrow

I've been taking Agrylin for twelve years now. While the side effects can be tough to deal with (rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath), they're manageable. I take propanolol as needed and up my dosage if necessary; however, I would caution against taking more than the recommended amount.

4.3

Patient Review

4/11/2013

Agrylin for Elevated Platelets with Rapid Growth of Bone Marrow

I've been on this medication since 2006, though not constantly. My reading is currently at 600-750. I often have a rapid heartbeat and sometimes my liver or spleen will hurt, in addition to general feelings of malaise and confusion. My doctor told me that 5% of ET patients will develop leukemia, but I hope he's wrong. In any case, I read some reviews and saw that some people are still alive after 18 years, so that's encouraging.

4.3

Patient Review

12/31/2015

Agrylin for Elevated Platelets with Rapid Growth of Bone Marrow

I've been having trouble getting my hands on the medication recently. My doctor can't seem to find a pharmacy that stocks it. I ran out over Thanksgiving 2015 and still haven't had any luck finding a provider. If anyone knows where I could order this drug, that would be great.

4

Patient Review

5/14/2010

Agrylin for Elevated Platelets with Rapid Growth of Bone Marrow

When I was diagnosed with high platelets, my count was at 1.4 million. Three years later, it is still around 600,000+, which should be under 400,000. I have a rapid heart rate after each dose, lasting about 30 minutes. I take 3 - .5 mg/day doses. I am tired a lot of the time, but feel better than I did when my platelet count was at 1.4 million. Exercise several times a week has also helped me keep my platelet count between 600 to 650,000.

4

Patient Review

3/25/2010

Agrylin for Elevated Platelets with Rapid Growth of Bone Marrow

I have been taking this drug for a decade or more, and recently started having issues with my heart rate spiking when I wasn't doing anything active. Just weakness, along with the rapid heartbeat.

3

Patient Review

2/1/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug is great. It really helped me.

3

Patient Review

2/1/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug is effective. I'm grateful for modern medicine.

3

Patient Review

2/1/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug really helped me. I'm grateful for modern medicine.

3

Patient Review

2/4/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug is effective. I appreciate its help.

3

Patient Review

2/4/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug is great. It really helped me out.

3

Patient Review

2/1/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug is really helpful. I'm grateful for modern medicine.

3

Patient Review

2/1/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug is great. It really helped me.

3

Patient Review

2/1/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug is effective. I'm grateful for modern medicine.

3

Patient Review

2/4/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug is great. I'm grateful for modern medicine.

3

Patient Review

2/1/2011

Agrylin for Osteoporosis

This drug really helped me. I'm grateful for modern medicine.

Patient Q&A Section about agrylin

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is anagrelide a chemotherapy drug?

"Anagrelide is not typically considered a chemotherapy drug, but some hospitals may classified it as such because it inhibits cell development. The regulations for prescribing this drug are similar to those governing actual chemotherapy drugs."

Answered by AI

What drug class is Agrylin?

"Agrylin is a drug that prevents the formation of blood clots. It belongs to a class of drugs called antiplatelet agents, PDE-3 inhibitors, and phospholipase A2 inhibitors."

Answered by AI

What is Agrylin used for?

"Anagrelide decreases the number of platelets in the blood.

Anagrelide can help treat thrombocythemia by lowering the number of platelets in the blood. This is because it prevents the bone marrow from making too many of them. Platelets are a blood cell that helps the body to form blood clots."

Answered by AI

Is Agrylin a blood thinner?

"Aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), and ticlopidine (Ticlid) belong to the class of antiplatelets.

No, anagrelide is not a blood clotting prevention medication. There are two different drug classes for medications that prevent blood clots: 1) anticoagulants work against clotting factors and 2) antiplatelets lower the number of platelets in the body. Aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, and ticlopidine belong to the class of antiplatelets."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Agrylin

Image of Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Consent only) in Basking Ridge, United States.

Cord Blood Transplant for Blood Cancers

21 - 65
All Sexes
Basking Ridge, NJ

Cord blood transplants (CBT) are a standard treatment for adults with blood cancers. MSK has developed a standard ("optimized") practice for cord blood transplant (CBT). This optimized practice includes how patients are evaluated for transplant, the conditioning treatment (standard chemotherapy and total body irradiation therapy) given to prepare the body for transplant, the amount of stem cells transplanted, and how patients are followed during and after transplant.The purpose of this study is to collect information about participant outcomes after CBT following MSK's optimized practice. The researchers will look at outcomes of the CBT treatment such as side effects, disease relapse, GVHD, and immune system recovery after CBT treatment.

Phase 2
Recruiting

Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Consent only) (+6 Sites)

Ann Jakubowski, MD

Image of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, United States.

Bone Marrow/Kidney Transplant for Blood Disorders & Chronic Kidney Disease

18 - 70
All Sexes
Boston, MA

The main purpose of this study is to examine the outcome of a combined bone marrow and kidney transplant from a partially matched related (haploidentical or "haplo") donor. This is a pilot study, you are being asked to participate because you have a blood disorder and kidney disease. The aim of the combined transplant is to treat both your underlying blood disorder and kidney disease. We expect to have about 10 people participate in this study. Additionally, because the same person who is donating the kidney will also be donating the bone marrow, there may be a smaller chance of kidney rejection and less need for long-term use of anti-rejection drugs. Traditionally, very strong cancer treatment drugs (chemotherapy) and radiation are used to prepare a subject's body for bone marrow transplant. This is associated with a high risk for serious complications, even in subjects without kidney disease. This therapy can be toxic to the liver, lungs, mucous membranes, and intestines. Additionally, it is believed that standard therapy may be associated with a higher risk of a complication called graft versus host disease (GVHD) where the new donor cells attack the recipient's normal body. Recently, less intense chemotherapy and radiation regimens have been employed (these are called reduced intensity regimens) which cause less injury and GVHD to patients, and thus, have allowed older and less healthy patients to undergo bone marrow transplant. In this study, a reduced intensity regimen of chemotherapy and radiation will be used with the intent of producing fewer toxicities than standard therapy. Typical therapy following a standard kidney transplant includes multiple lifelong medications that aim to prevent the recipient's body from attacking or rejecting the donated kidney. These are called immunosuppressant drugs and they work by "quieting" the recipient's immune system to allow the donated kidney to function properly. One goal in our study is to decrease the duration you will need to be on immunosuppressant drugs following your kidney transplant as the bone marrow transplant will provide you with the donor's immune system which should not attack the donor kidney.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Massachusetts General Hospital

Yi-Bin A Chen, M.D.