Conditions and symptoms
What Is Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)?
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura · say it: throm-BOT-ik throm-boh-sy-toh-PEE-nik PUR-pyoo-ruhAlso written: TTP, Moschcowitz syndrome
Short answer
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, serious blood disorder where tiny clots form throughout the body; it is a medical emergency.
What it means
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but serious blood disorder in which small blood clots form in small blood vessels throughout the body. This uses up platelets (causing thrombocytopenia), damages red blood cells and can reduce blood flow to the brain, kidneys and heart. It needs emergency medical treatment.
It appears as a warning on some medicine labels, notably clopidogrel and ticlopidine, because rare cases have been reported, sometimes within the first weeks of treatment. Labels list signs to report urgently: purple bruise-like spots or tiny red dots on the skin, unexplained tiredness or pallor, yellowing of the skin or eyes, fever, confusion, speech or vision changes, or passing less urine.
The name describes it: 'thrombotic' (clots), 'thrombocytopenic' (low platelets) and 'purpura' (purple spots from bleeding under the skin). It is different from immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), where platelets are low but widespread clotting does not occur.
Where you may see it
- Clopidogrel labels under 'Warnings and Precautions'
- Hematology reports and hospital discharge summaries
- Leaflets under 'Serious side effects'
📄 How it looks on a report
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, sometimes fatal, has been reported following use of this drug, sometimes after a short exposure.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Being on a label does not mean it is likely; TTP is rare.
- Not every bruise means TTP; the concern is unusual spots with other symptoms like confusion or fever.
- It is not the same as ITP, even though both involve low platelets.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Acyclovir
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue type, used against herpesviruses
- Clopidogrel
A platelet inhibitor of the P2Y12 type (a thienopyridine). It is a blood thinner that keeps platelets from sticking together.
- Valacyclovir
an antiviral medicine. The label describes it as a deoxynucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor, and it is the hydrochloride salt of the L-valyl ester of acyclovir.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “ttp”
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