Agents Used in the Treatment of Anemia

Anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs), a decrease in die amount of hemoglobin in RBCs, or bodi a decrease in die number of RBCs and hemoglobin. When diere is an insufficient amount of hemoglobin to deliver oxygen to die tissues, anemia exists. There are various types and causes of anemia For example, anemia can be die result of blood loss, excessive destruction of RBCs, inadequate production of RBCs, and deficits in various nutrients, such as in iron deficiency anemia Once the type and cause have been identified, die primary health care provider selects a method of treatment. 

The anemias discussed in this chapter include iron deficiency anemia, anemia in patients witii chronic renal disease pernicious anemia, and anemia resulting from a folic acid deficiency. Table 45-1 defines these anemias. Drugp used in treatment of anemia are summarized in die Summary Drug Table Drugp Used in die Treatment of Anemia. 

Iron deficiency anemia is by far die most common type of anemia Iron is a component of hemoglobin, which is in RBCs. It is the iron in the hemoglobin of RBCs diat 

Iron salts, such as ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate, are used in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, which occurs when there is a loss of iron that is greater than the available iron stored in the body. Iron preparations act by elevating the serum iron concentration, which replenishes hemoglobin and depleted iron stores. 

Iron dextran is a parenteral iron that is also used for die treatment of iron deficiency anemia It is primarily used when the patient cannot take oral drugs or when the patient experiences gastrointestinal intolerance to oral iron administration. Other iron preparations, both oral and parenteral, used in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia can be found in the Summary Drug Table Dragp Used in the Treatment of Anemia 

Anemia characterized by an inadequate amount of iron in the body to produce hemoglobin Anemia resulting from a reduced production of erythropoietin, a hormone secreted by the kidney that stimulates the produdion of red blood cells (RBCS) 

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Unit VII consists of two chapters dealing with dragp that affect the hematological system anticoagulants and tlirombolytic drug s, and agents used in the treatment of anemia... 

Inorganic or metal-containing medicinal compounds may contain either (a) chemical elements essential to life forms—iron salts used in the treatment of anemia—or (b) nonessential/toxic elements that carry out specific medicinal purposes—platinum-containing compounds as antitumor agents or technetium... 

The answers are 484-k 485-j. (tlardman, pp 1061-1062, 1682-1685.) Sulfonamides can cause acute hemolytic anemia. In some patients it mayr be related to a sensitization phenomenon, and in other patients the hemolysis is due to a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency Sulfamethoxazole alone or in combination with trimethoprim is used to treat UTls. The sulfonamide sulfasalazine is employed in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Daps one, a drug that is used in the treatment of leprosy, and primaquine, an anti mala rial agent, can produce hemolysis, particularly in patients with a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. 

Hypixhromic anemias caused by familiar-type pyridoxinc dependency respond to pyridoxinc therapy. Similarly, this vitamin has been useful in the treatment of hypochromic or megaloblastic anemias that are not due to iron deHciency and do not respond to other hematopoietic agents. ... 

Other agents are also used for the treatment of manic-depressive disorders based on preliminary clinical results (177). The antiepileptic carbamazepine [298-46-4] has been reported in some clinical studies to be therapeutically beneficial in mild-to-moderate manic depression. Carbamazepine treatment is used especially in bipolar patients intolerant to lithium or nonresponders. A majority of Hthium-resistant, rapidly cycling manic-depressive patients were reported in one study to improve on carbamazepine (178). Carbamazepine blocks noradrenaline reuptake and inhibits noradrenaline exocytosis. The main adverse events are those found commonly with antiepileptics, ie, vigilance problems, nystagmus, ataxia, and anemia, in addition to nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. Carbamazepine can be used in combination with lithium. Several clinical studies report that the calcium channel blocker verapamil [52-53-9] registered for angina pectoris and supraventricular arrhythmias, may also be effective in the treatment of acute mania. Its use as a mood stabilizer may be unrelated to its calcium-blocking properties. Verapamil also decreases the activity of several neurotransmitters. Severe manic depression is often treated with antipsychotics or benzodiazepine anxiolytics. 

Hydroxyurea inhibits cell synthesis in the S phase of the DNA cycle. It is used selectively in the treatment of psoriasis, especially in those with liver disease who would be at risk of adverse effects with other agents. However, it is less effective than methotrexate. The typical dose is 1 g/day, with a gradual increase to 2 g/day as needed and as tolerated. Adverse effects include bone marrow toxicity with leukopenia or thrombocytopenia, cutaneous reactions, leg ulcers, and megaloblastic anemia. 

D. Clinical Use and Toxicity Folic acid deficiency is most often caused by dietary insufficiency or by malabsorption. Anemia due to folic acid deficiency is readily treated by oral folic acid supplementation. Folic acid supplements will also correct the anemia but not the neurologic deficits of vitamin B, deficiency. Therefore, vitamin B 2 deficiency must be ruled out before one selects folic acid as the sole therapeutic agent in the treatment of a patient with megaloblastic anemia. Folic acid has no recognized toxicity. 

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