Welcome to

Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.

Learn More
Blog
Menu Close

WinRho® Treatment for ITP

What is WinRho®?

WinRho® is a medicine used to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). ITP is an autoimmune disorder that causes low numbers of platelets. Platelets are blood cells that help stop bleeding.

Your child might get WinRho® if they have:

  • ITP and bleeding symptoms
  • Very low platelet counts that put them at high risk of bleeding
  • Positive blood type (such as O+, A+, B+, or AB+)

How WinRho® works

In people with ITP, platelets are coated in antibodies. The antibodies cause the spleen to attack and destroy the platelets.

WinRho® has antibodies that bind to red blood cells of people with a positive blood type. The spleen then destroys red blood cells instead of platelets so more platelets stay in the blood. When this happens, your child’s platelet count goes up.

Destroying red blood cells is generally not harmful. Your child’s body naturally makes more. WinRho® is not used in patients who have anemia or who are at risk for having a low red blood cell count.

How WinRho® is given

WinRho® is given through an IV into a vein. This takes 3 to 5 minutes. A member of your care team will watch your child for any side effects for 2 hours after giving the WinRho®.

Side effects of WinRho®

Possible side effects of WinRho® include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dark urine

To decrease the side effects of WinRho® your child’s doctor will give other medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) before giving WinRho®. Your child’s doctor will also give medicines to take at home to decrease side effects.

If you have questions, talk to your child’s doctor or nurse.

Key Points

  • WinRho® is a medicine used to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in patients with a positive blood type (such as O+, A+, B+, or AB+).
  • WinRho® causes the spleen to destroy red blood cells instead of platelets so more platelets stay in the blood.
  • WinRho® is given through an IV into a vein.
  • Your care team may prescribe medicines to help reduce side effects. Follow all instructions given by your care team.

—
Reviewed: September 2022