Aplastic Anemia Drugs and Treatments
More drugs and treatments are available to treat bone marrow failure disease than ever before. Researchers constantly look for ways to enhance drugs already on the market and develop new ones with fewer side effects. Some drugs treat only one type of the disease, while others may be used to treat more than one type. Check with your doctor to find out which drugs are right for you and why.
Cyclosporine
Brand name: Neoral, SandimmuneAn immunosuppressant, this drug that lowers the body's immune response.
Darbepoetin Alfa
Brand name: AranespA
growth factor
growth factor:
A substance made by the body that stimulates the bone marrow to produce blood cells. Some growth factors are man-made in the laboratory and used for treating low blood counts. These include red blood cell growth factors called erythropoietin (EPO) and darbepoetin, and white blood cell growth…
(cytokine), it is a man-made version of a naturally occurring substance in the body, called
erythropoietin
erythropoietin:
(i-rith-row-POY-uh-tun) A protein made by the kidneys. Erythropoietin, also called EPO, is created in response to low oxygen levels in the body (anemia). EPO causes the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. A shortage of EPO can also cause anemia.
, that encourages the
bone marrow
bone marrow:
The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow.
to make more red blood cells.
Deferasirox
Brand name: Exjade, JadenuAn iron chelator, this drug is used to remove excess iron from the body.
Deferiprone
Brand name: Ferriprox
Deferiprone
Deferiprone:
Deferiprone is in a class of medications called iron chelators. It works by attaching to iron in the body so that it can be excreted (removed from the body).
Deferiprone comes in a pill form and is taken by mouth. Deferiprone is approved for use in Europe. Researchers in the U.S. are studying…
is in a class of medications called iron chelators. It works by attaching to iron in the body so that it can be excreted (removed from the body).
Deferoxamine
Brand name: Desferal
Deferoxamine
Deferoxamine:
Deferoxamine is an iron-binding agent that belongs to a class of drugs known as heavy metal antagonists. It works by helping the kidneys and gallbladder get rid of the extra iron.
is an iron-binding agent that belongs to a class of drugs known as heavy metal antagonists. It works by helping the kidneys and gallbladder get rid of the extra iron.
Eltrombopag
Brand name: Promacta
Eltrombopag
Eltrombopag:
What are the possible side effects of eltrombopag (Promacta)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using eltrombopag and call your doctor at once if you have:
…
(Promacta) is used to increase the number of platelets (cells that help
blood clot
blood clot:
A mass of blood that forms when platelets stick together. Harmful blood clots are more likely to happen in PNH. The term thrombus describes a blood clot that develops and attaches to a blood vessel. The term embolus describes a blood clot or other foreign matter that gets into the bloodstream and…
) and to decrease the risk of bleeding. It is a man-made
platelet
platelet:
The smallest type of blood cell. Platelets help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. Also called a thrombocyte.
growth factor
growth factor:
A substance made by the body that stimulates the bone marrow to produce blood cells. Some growth factors are man-made in the laboratory and used for treating low blood counts. These include red blood cell growth factors called erythropoietin (EPO) and darbepoetin, and white blood cell growth…
that signals your
bone marrow
bone marrow:
The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow.
to make more platelets. Eltrombopag was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014 to treat
aplastic anemia
aplastic anemia:
(ay-PLASS-tik uh-NEE_mee-uh) A rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most…
. It comes as a tablet and as a powder for oral suspension (liquid) to take by mouth.
Enoxaparin
Brand name: Lovenox
Enoxaparin
Enoxaparin:
Enoxaparin is in a class of medications called low molecular weight heparins. It works by stopping the formation of substances that cause clots. It is also used in combination with warfarin to treat blood clots in the leg.
is in a class of medications called low molecular weight heparins. It works by stopping the formation of substances that cause clots. It is also used in combination with
warfarin
warfarin:
It is used to prevent blood clots from forming. Warfarin is a tablet that is taken by mouth.
to treat blood clots in the leg.
Epoetin Alfa
Brand name: Epogen, ProcritA man-made version of a naturally occurring substance in the body (erythropoietin) that encourages the
bone marrow
bone marrow:
The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow.
to make more red blood cells.
Filgrastim
Brand name: G-CSF, NeupogenA man-made version of a naturally occurring substance in the body that promotes
white blood cell
white blood cell:
Cells in the body that fight disease and infection by attacking and killing germs. There are several types of white blood cells including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. Each type of cell fights a different kind of germ. Also called WBC, leukocyte.
growth in the
bone marrow
bone marrow:
The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow.
.
Fludarabine
Brand name: FludaraAn antineoplastic agent, this medicine works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.