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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 21, 2014; 20(35): 12517-12521
Published online Sep 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i35.12517
Published online Sep 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i35.12517
Eltrombopag in chronic hepatitis C
Romeo-Gabriel Mihăilă, Remus-Călin Cipăian, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Sibiu, Cod 550169, Romania
Author contributions: Mihăilă RG and Cipăian RC contributed solely and equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Romeo-Gabriel Mihăilă, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, str Lucian Blaga, Nr 2A, Sibiu, Cod 550169, Romania. romeomihaila@yahoo.com
Telephone: +40-269-215050 Fax: +40-269-218365
Received: February 16, 2014
Revised: April 9, 2014
Accepted: May 25, 2014
Published online: September 21, 2014
Revised: April 9, 2014
Accepted: May 25, 2014
Published online: September 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Chronic hepatitis C is a public health problem worldwide. Unfortunately, not all patients may benefit from antiviral therapy due to thrombocytopenia. Thrombopoietin receptor analogs may contribute to increased platelet counts in these patients. We present a minireview on the results of treatment with eltrombopag in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C, highlighting the benefits and mentioning possible adverse effects. Eltrombopag is a solution for many of these patients, which allows them receiving antiviral therapy and sometimes getting a sustained virological response, but they must be well monitored to prevent possible thromboembolic or bone marrow complications or liver failure occurrence.