1. Factor VIII Concentrates
This standard treatment for hemophilia replaces missing clotting factor in the blood (known as VIII). Dosages are typically based on several patient factors—including the severity of bleeding, the size of the patient and the area site where bleeding occurs. To prevent a bleeding emergency, hemophilia patients and their loved ones can be taught to administer VIII concentrate injections at home if injury occurs.
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2. Prescription Drugs
Mild hemophilia is often treated with a prescription medication called desmopressin (or DDAVP), which stimulates the release of clotting factor VIII naturally stored in blood vessels. DDAVP is prescribed either intravenously or in a nasal spray. Most hemophiliacs take DDAVP prior to surgery as a precautionary measure.
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3. Pain Relievers
Acute bleeding and inflammation of joints can be extremely painful for hemophiliacs. For this reason, analgesic pain relievers are usually prescribed for pain management and to soothe chronic pain. Typically, a prescription is required for acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) with codeine.
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4. Prophylactic Factor Infusions
Prophylactic factor infusions, human donor blood concentrates, are created in a lab and administered at home by parents of children with severe hemophilia. The infusions are given regularly to prevent bleeding symptoms, hemophilia arthropathy (joint bleeding), and organ damage, in particular joints. Prophylaxis is not a universally accepted treatment in the medical community with only about 50-percent of hemophiliacs receiving it in the U.S.