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anagrelide hydrochloride

Pharmaranks rates Anagrelide Hydrochloride 3.5/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Anagrelide Hydrochloride is a platelet-reducing agent used to treat Polycythemia Vera, Thrombocytosis.

Platelet-Reducing Agent · by Novitium Pharma

Generic of Agrylin

70/100Limited · 1 source

Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 20, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Anagrelide Hydrochloride
Form
Capsule
Strength
Anagrelide Hydrochloride EQ 0.5MG Base · Anagrelide Hydrochloride EQ 1MG Base
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Generic
Manufacturer
Novitium Pharma
Half-life
about 1.5 hours (how long it stays in your system)
What the pharmacy pays
~$32.95 for 30 — not your price
FDA application
ANDA076811

What is Anagrelide Hydrochloride?

From the FDA label:Anagrelide hydrochloride, USP is a platelet-reducing agent. Its chemical name is 6,7-dichloro-1,5-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-2(3H)-one monohydrochloride monohydrate. The molecular formula is C 10 H 7 Cl 2 N 3 O•HCl•H 2 O which corresponds to a molecular weight of 310.59. The structural formula is: Anagrelide hydrochloride is an off-white powder. It is very slightly soluble in water and sparingly soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide. Each Anagrelide Capsule USP, for oral administration, contains either 0.5 mg or 1 mg of anagrelide base (as anagrelide hydrochloride, USP) and has the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate. The hard gelatin capsules contain titanium dioxide, gelatin, FD&C Red No. 40 and purified water. The 0.5 mg capsules also contain black iron oxide, and FD&C Red No. 3. The 1 mg capsules also contain FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Yellow No. 6. In addition, the black imprinting ink contains black iron oxide, butyl alcohol, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, shellac and ammonia. structure

How to use

The starting dose for adults is 0.5 mg four times a day or 1 mg twice a day. (2.1) The starting dose for pediatric patients is 0.5 mg per day. (2.1) Maintain the starting dose for at least one week and then titrate to maintain target platelet counts. (2.2) Do not exceed a dose increment of 0.5 mg/day in any one week. Do not exceed 10 mg/day or 2.5 mg in a single dose. (2.2) Moderate hepatic impairment: Start with 0.5 mg per day. (2.3) 2.1 Recommended Starting Dosage Adults: The recommended starting dosage of anagrelide capsules is 0.5 mg four times daily or 1 mg twice daily. Pediatric Patients: The recommended starting dosage of anagrelide capsules is 0.5 mg daily. 2.2 Dose Titration Based Upon Platelet Response Continue the starting dose for at least one week and then titrate to reduce and maintain the platelet count below 600,000/μL, and ideally between 150,000/μL and 400,000/μL. The dose increment should not exceed 0.5 mg/day in any one week. Dosage should not exceed 10 mg/day or 2.5 mg in a single dose. Most patients will experience an adequate response at a dose of 1.5 to 3.0 mg/day. Monitor platelet counts weekly during titration then monthly or as necessary. 2.3 Dose Modifications for Hepatic Impairment In patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh score 7-9) start anagrelide capsules therapy at a dose of 0.5 mg/day and monitor frequently for cardiovascular…

Side effects

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Cardiovascular Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Pulmonary Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Bleeding Risk [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Pulmonary Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%) are headache, palpitations, diarrhea, asthenia, edema, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, pain, dyspnea, cough, flatulence, vomiting, fever, peripheral edema, rash, chest pain, anorexia, tachycardia, malaise, paresthesia, back pain, pruritus, and dyspepsia. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-204-1431 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Clinical Studies in Adult Patients In three single-arm clinical studies, 942 patients [see Clinical Trials (14)] diagnosed with myeloproliferative neoplasms of varying etiology (ET: 551; PV: 117; OMPN: 274) were exposed to anagrelide with a mean duration of approximately 65 weeks. Serious adverse…

Warnings

Important safety information

Cardiovascular Toxicity: QT prolongation and ventricular tachycardia have been reported with anagrelide. Obtain a pre-treatment cardiovascular examination including an ECG in all patients. Monitor patients for cardiovascular effects. (5.1) Pulmonary Hypertension: Assess underlying cardiopulmonary disease prior to initiating therapy. (5.2) Bleeding Risk: Monitor patients for bleeding, including those receiving concomitant therapy with other drugs known to cause bleeding. (5.3) 5.1 Cardiovascular Toxicity Torsades de pointes and ventricular tachycardia have been reported with anagrelide. Obtain a pre-treatment cardiovascular examination including an ECG in all patients. During treatment with anagrelide monitor patients for cardiovascular effects and evaluate as necessary. Anagrelide increases the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram and increases the heart rate in healthy volunteers [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)] . Do not use anagrelide in patients with known risk factors for QT interval prolongation, such as congenital long QT syndrome, a known history of acquired QTc prolongation, medicinal products that can prolong QTc interval and hypokalemia [see Drug Interactions (7.1)] . Hepatic impairment increases anagrelide exposure and could increase the risk of QTc prolongation. Monitor patients with hepatic impairment for QTc prolongation and other cardiovascular adverse reactions. The potential risks and benefits of anagrelide therapy in a patient with mild and moderate hepatic impairment should be assessed before treatment is commenced. Reduce anagrelide dose in patients with moderate hepatic impairment. Avoid use of anagrelide in patients with severe hepatic impairment. In patients with heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or electrolyte abnormalities, consider periodic monitoring with electrocardiograms [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)] . Anagrelide is a phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitor and may cause vasodilation, tachycardia, palpitations, and congestive heart failure. Other drugs that inhibit PDE3 have caused decreased survival when compared with placebo in patients with Class III-IV congestive heart failure [see Drug Interactions (7.2)] . In patients with cardiac disease, use anagrelide only when the benefits outweigh the risks. 5.2 Pulmonary Hypertension Cases of pulmonary hypertension have been reported in patients treated with anagrelide. Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of underlying cardiopulmonary disease prior to initiating and during anagrelide therapy [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] . 5.3 Bleeding Risk Use of concomitant anagrelide and aspirin increased major hemorrhagic events in a postmarketing study. Assess the potential risks and benefits for concomitant use of anagrelide with aspirin, since bleeding risks may be increased. Monitor patients for bleeding, including those receiving concomitant therapy with other drugs known to cause bleeding (e.g., anticoagulants, PDE3 inhibitors, NSAIDs, antiplatelet agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) [see Drug Interactions (7.3), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . 5.4 Pulmonary Toxicity Interstitial lung diseases (including allergic alveolitis, eosinophilic pneumonia and interstitial pneumonitis) have been reported to be associated with the use of anagrelide in post-marketing reports. Most cases presented with progressive dyspnea with lung infiltrations. The time of onset ranged from 1 week to several years after initiating anagrelide. If suspected, discontinue anagrelide and evaluate. Symptoms may improve after discontinuation [see Adverse Reactions (6)] .

Who should not take Anagrelide Hydrochloride

None. None (4)

Overdose — what happens if you take too much

At higher than recommended doses, anagrelide has been shown to cause hypotension. There have been postmarketing case reports of intentional overdose with anagrelide. Reported symptoms include sinus tachycardia and vomiting. Symptoms resolved with supportive management. Platelet reduction from anagrelide therapy is dose-related; therefore, thrombocytopenia, which can potentially cause bleeding, is expected from overdosage. In case of overdosage, stop anagrelide dosing and monitor platelet counts for thrombocytopenia and observe for possible complications such as bleeding. Consider resumption of anagrelide dosing once the platelet count returns to the normal range.

U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.

Interactions

Other PDE 3 inhibitors: Exacerbation of inotropic effects (7.2) Aspirin and Drugs that Increase Bleeding Risk: Increased risk of bleeding with concomitant use (7.3) 7.1 Drugs that Prolong QT Avoid use of anagrelide in patients taking medications that may prolong QT interval (including, but not limited to, chloroquine, clarithromycin, haloperidol, methadone, moxifloxacin, amiodarone, disopyramide, procainamide, and pimozide) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)] . 7.2 PDE3 Inhibitors Anagrelide is a phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitor. Avoid use of drug products with similar properties such as inotropes and other PDE3 inhibitors (e.g., cilostazol, milrinone) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)] . 7.3 Aspirin and Drugs that Increase Bleeding Risk Co-administration of single-dose or repeat-dose anagrelide and aspirin showed greater ex vivo anti-platelet aggregation effects than administration of aspirin alone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Results from an observational study in patients with essential thrombocythemia suggest the rate of major hemorrhagic events (MHEs) in patients treated with anagrelide is higher than in those subjects treated with another cytoreductive treatment. The majority of the major hemorrhagic events occurred in patients who were also receiving concomitant anti-aggregatory treatment (primarily, aspirin). Therefore, the potential risks of the concomitant use of anagrelide with aspirin should be assessed, particularly in patients with a high-risk profile for hemorrhage, before treatment is initiated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] . Monitor patients for bleeding, particularly those receiving concomitant therapy with other drugs known to cause bleeding (e.g., anticoagulants, PDE3 inhibitors, NSAIDs, antiplatelet agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). 7.4 CYP450 Interactions CYP1A2 inhibitors: Anagrelide and its active metabolite are primarily metabolized by CYP1A2. Drugs that inhibit CYP1A2 (e.g., fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin) could increase the exposure of anagrelide. Monitor patients for cardiovascular events and titrate doses accordingly when CYP1A2 inhibitors are co-administered. CYP1A2 inducers: CYP1A2 inducers could decrease the exposure of anagrelide. Patients taking concomitant CYP1A2 inducers (e.g., omeprazole) may need to have their dose titrated to compensate for the decrease in anagrelide exposure. CYP1A2 substrates: Anagrelide demonstrates limited inhibitory activity towards CYP1A2 in vitro and may alter the exposure of concomitant CYP1A2 substrates (e.g., theophylline, fluvoxamine, ondansetron).

How long does Anagrelide Hydrochloride stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of anagrelide hydrochloride is about 1.5 hours — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This 1.5-hour figure is for parent anagrelide, but it is misleading on its own: anagrelide's ACTIVE metabolite, 3-hydroxy anagrelide (which contributes to its platelet-lowering effect), has a longer plasma half-life of about 2.5 hours. Neither the parent nor the metabolite accumulates in plasma at clinical doses. The label reports only this single elimination phase (under the "Elimination" heading), not a separate distribution phase. Populations: the label does not restate the half-life for special groups, but exposure shifts — in elderly patients (65-75 yr) anagrelide Cmax/AUC were 36%/61% higher (while active-metabolite exposure was lower); severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min) had no significant effect on anagrelide pharmacokinetics; moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh 7-9) raised anagrelide Cmax ~2-fold and total exposure ~8-fold, so it is used cautiously in liver impairment.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: Anagrelide capsules — DailyMed label, §12.3 Pharmacokinetics.

Drug class

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

See how Anagrelide Hydrochloride ranks — best-rated platelet-reducing agent for:

Dosage forms

Capsule

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

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Frequently asked questions

What does Anagrelide Hydrochloride treat?
Anagrelide Hydrochloride (Anagrelide Hydrochloride) may be used to treat polycythemia vera, thrombocytosis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
How is Anagrelide Hydrochloride rated?
pharmaranks gives Anagrelide Hydrochloride a composite score of 3.5 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
How much does Anagrelide Hydrochloride cost?
Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $32.95 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
Is there a coupon or discount for Anagrelide Hydrochloride?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Anagrelide Hydrochloride. To pay less, Anagrelide Hydrochloride is already a generic — usually the lowest-cost version — so the main levers are comparing cash prices between pharmacies and using a pharmacy discount-card service. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Anagrelide Hydrochloride?
Anagrelide Hydrochloride is marketed by Novitium Pharma. You can see Novitium Pharma's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Anagrelide Hydrochloride a brand-name or generic drug?
Anagrelide Hydrochloride is a generic medication; its active ingredient is Anagrelide Hydrochloride. Generics contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name original and are usually lower cost.
Is Anagrelide Hydrochloride available over the counter?
No. Anagrelide Hydrochloride is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Anagrelide Hydrochloride come in?
Anagrelide Hydrochloride is currently marketed as capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
What class of drug is Anagrelide Hydrochloride?
Anagrelide Hydrochloride is classified as platelet-reducing agent, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
Is Anagrelide Hydrochloride FDA-registered?
Anagrelide Hydrochloride is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA076811. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Has Anagrelide Hydrochloride been recalled by the FDA?
Anagrelide Hydrochloride has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
Is Anagrelide Hydrochloride safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Anagrelide Hydrochloride a recall-safety score of 70/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Anagrelide Hydrochloride?
Anagrelide Hydrochloride's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Cardiovascular Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Pulmonary Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Bleeding Risk [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Pulmon… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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