FDA approves new drug for patients with chronic liver disease who have low blood platelets and are undergoing a medical procedure

"Patients with chronic liver disease who have low platelet counts and require a procedure are at increased risk of bleeding," said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence and acting director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

"Doptelet was demonstrated to safely increase the platelet count. This drug may decrease or eliminate the need for platelet transfusions, which are associated with risk of infection and other adverse reactions."