Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.
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drug-infosheet
anagrelide
Cancer Type
Hematologic,
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
Other Names
Agrylin®
Appearance
capsule
anagrelide
ana - eng-title
Pronunciation:
an-AG-gre-lide
Other Name(s):
Agrylin®
Appearance:
capsule
This handout gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
who to contact for help
what the medication is
how it is given
what to expect while on medication
This handout was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?
My cancer health care provider is: _____________________________________________
During the day I should contact: _______________________________________________
Evenings, weekends and holidays: _____________________________________________
This page gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
who to contact for help
what the medication is
how it is given
what to expect while on this medication
This information was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
What is this treatment for?
- For treating a condition where there are too many platelets in the blood. Platelets help blood to clot.
What should I do before I start this treatment?
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or had significant medical condition(s) such as:
- liver problems
- kidney problems
- lung problems
- heart problems, including irregular heartbeat
- low salt levels (for example, potassium, magnesium, calcium) in your blood
- any allergies
- This drug contains a small amount of lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose, talk to your health care team.
- Patients with too many platelets have a higher risk of getting blood clots or some types of cancers. Some treatments may increase this risk. Discuss this with your health care team.
How is this treatment given?
Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
Do not crush or open the capsules.
- Anagrelide is usually taken multiple times a day.
- Take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Make sure you understand the instructions.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
Other medications you may be given with this treatment
Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
Do not crush or open the capsules.
- Anagrelide is usually taken multiple times a day.
- Take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Make sure you understand the instructions.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
| DO this while on treatment |
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects. Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them. For mild aches and pain or fever:
Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
|
DO this while on treatment
This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
For mild aches and pain or fever:
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
- Do not eat or drink grapefruit, grapefruit juice and related products while taking this drug. They may increase the amount of drug in your blood and increase side effects.
Will this treatment interact with other medications or natural health products?
This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
For mild aches and pain or fever:
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
- Do not eat or drink grapefruit, grapefruit juice and related products while taking this drug. They may increase the amount of drug in your blood and increase side effects.
What to do if you feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever
This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
For mild aches and pain or fever:
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
- Do not eat or drink grapefruit, grapefruit juice and related products while taking this drug. They may increase the amount of drug in your blood and increase side effects.
How will this treatment affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?
- The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding.
- If there is any chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:
- ► Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose unless your health care team told you differently. Talk to your health care team to figure out the best method(s) for you and/or your partner.
- ► Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose unless your health care team told you differently. Talk to your health care team to figure out the best method(s) for you and/or your partner.
- Do not breastfeed while using this drug.
- This medication may affect fertility (ability to get pregnant)
How to safely store and handle this medication
Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
What are the side effects of this treatment?
You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Diarrhea May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment. If you have diarrhea :
See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Pounding or irregular heartbeat • Talk to your health care team right away or get emergency medical help if your heartbeat is irregular, unusually fast or you have chest discomfort/pain, severe shortness of breath, feel faint (pass out) or very dizzy |
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Fatigue (tiredness)
See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness To help prevent swelling :
If you have swelling in your legs, keep your feet up when sitting.
|
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Pains or cramps in the belly
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Nausea and vomiting (generally mild) If you have nausea or vomiting:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Dizziness
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Cough; feeling short of breath You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose. Rarely this may be severe with chest pain, trouble breathing or coughing up blood. If this happens get medical help right away. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Passing gas You may have bloating, pain in your belly and pass gas. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly
- swelling in your legs, ankles and belly, chest pain that may spread to your arm
- pain, swelling and hardening of a vein in your arm or leg
- passing very little or no pee, gaining weight that is new or unusual
- confusion, sudden loss of vision, trouble speaking or using your arms or legs
- vomiting blood or what looks like coffee-grounds
- having black stools (poo) or stools with bright-red blood
Notes
July 2026 bug 1080418 2nd retest - 0720 - MIS
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
Last Updated: July 27, 2026
