PNHSource

Palliative Therapies

Transfusions

• Transfusions may be helpful in increasing hemoglobin and temporarily decreasing the symptoms associated with anemia¹

Corticosteroids

• The primary value of corticosteroid therapy may be to attenuate acute hemolytic exacerbations in classic hemolytic PNH, but their overall therapeutic value may be limited by their side effect profile¹

Androgen therapy

• Androgen therapy has been used historically to treat anemia but reserved mainly for patients with some degree of bone marrow hypoplasia.^1,2 Androgens offer a rapid onset of action but are associated with virilizing effects in women and prostatism in men. Some data have also suggested an association between androgens and the development of Budd-Chiari syndrome in PNH patients²

Supplements

• Supplement therapy includes folic acid and iron to support erythropoiesis²

Anticoagulants

• Both warfarin and enoxaparin sodium have been used in the following patient groups:
  • As a treatment for patients with thrombosis or a history of thrombosis
  • Prophylactically in patients with a high risk of thrombosis¹