Treatments for Sickle Cell Disease

Author: Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
En Español (Spanish Version)

There are no treatments to cure sickle cell disease. Instead, treatment is aimed at managing the various symptoms in an effort to minimize complications. The goals of treatment include:

  • Managing acute crisis episodes
  • Managing chronic pain
  • Managing anemia
  • Preventing and treating infections
  • Managing complications and organ damage

Treatments include:

New treatments under investigation include:

References:

Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2003.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/.

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America website. Available at: http://www.sicklecelldisease.org/.

Weiner CM. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw – Hill; 2008.

Last reviewed September 2011 by Igor Puzanov, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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