An Eltrombopag Red (Plasma) Alert

Abstract

Eltrombopag is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist frequently used to manage immune thrombocytopenia and aplastic anemia. At the high doses used for aplastic anemia, but not the doses used for immune thrombocytopenia, eltrombopag can cause reddish-brown discoloration of plasma, which can interfere with bilirubin measurement and cause false clinical alarm. This case report and clinical image describes a patient with aplastic anemia managed with eltrombopag who developed reddish-brown plasma initially concerning for possible hemolysis or rhabdomyolysis.