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Treating sickle cell disease

On this page:
Treatment overview
Treatments for sickle cell disease
Treating the symptoms
Treating the cause
Staying on track with treatments

Treatment overview

The treatment of sickle cell disease is tailored to the individual patient, i.e., specifically adapted to you and your needs according to your symptoms and circumstances.1 In addition to medical measures, supportive or precautionary approaches may also help you to feel better.1

You are most likely to find your optimal treatment plan if you work together with your treatment team and other people with your disease.

Woman talking to another person in a clinical setting.

There are various options for treating your symptoms. The "Pain management" page provides helpful information specifically related to "managing a pain crisis:".

Treatments for sickle cell disease

Doctors from various disciplines should be involved in the treatment of sickle cell disease.2 As the symptoms vary so much from one person to the next, there is no single treatment that works for everyone.1 Your doctors can choose from a range of different medicines and treatment options so that they can provide you with optimal support to relieve your symptoms.1

One goal of treatment is to improve or maintain your quality of life as much as possible.1  Your doctor will discuss the various options with you and recommend the most suitable treatment for you.

Your doctor could recommend the following treatment options for you:1

  • Treatments that can be used to relieve pain and other symptoms and prevent complications
  • Medicines to treat the sickle cell disease itself
  • Stem cell transplantation (only possible in certain cases)

Now let's take a closer look at each individual treatment type.

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Treating the symptoms of sickle cell disease

Antibiotics and vaccinations

People with sickle cell disease are more susceptible to infections.1,3 Certain vaccinations are therefore recommended to prevent these infections.1,3 In addition, you may be prescribed antibiotics in order to offer you additional protection against infections.1

You will already have been vaccinated against various types of infections as a child. Some vaccines protect you for a very long time, while others need to be repeated at regular intervals.4 For example, you should get a flu vaccination every year in order to be protected against the flu viruses thought to be most prevalent that year.4 Talk to your treatment team about which of your vaccinations need to be repeated.

Painkillers for pain crises

Pain crises are the most common symptom of sickle cell disease.1

In most cases, you and your treatment team should work together to decide on the type and dosage of pain medicines as well as where and how they are given (at home or at the hospital, in the form of a solution or tablet or via a vein).1,5  In particular, the severity of your pain, your overall condition and/or the presence of an additional condition (such as liver damage, kidney disease, sensitive stomach) will be taken into consideration.5

For example, if the pain is too severe, it is advisable to go to a hospital,1 where it will be possible to treat your pain more effectively.1 In addition, it can be very helpful to carry an emergency ID card with you that indicates that you have sickle cell disease.1,5

Treating the cause

    Hydroxyurea

    Hydroxyurea (also known as hydroxycarbamide) is a medicine that is generally used to treat sickle cell disease and can be taken in tablet form.1,6  When taken regularly, the drug can reduce the occurrence of pain crises and increase haemoglobin concentrations in the blood.1,6

    On the "Understanding sickle cell disease" page, you will find out what the shape of your red blood cells has to "do with your symptoms:".

    People taking hydroxyurea have regular blood tests in order to monitor their health status during the treatment.1

      Other medicine-based treatment options

      In addition to hydroxyurea, there are other medicines available to people with sickle cell disease,1,7 such as those aimed at reducing the frequency of pain crises.7 Moreover, new treatment approaches are also being investigated.7

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      Staying on track with sickle cell disease treatment

      In order for your sickle cell disease treatment to be successful, it is very important that you take all your medicines regularly and as prescribed by your doctor. Regular check-ups are also important milestones which can help your treatment to progress in a positive way.1 Here are a few suggestions to ensure you are optimally equipped for your treatment and your hectic everyday life:

      • Use your smartphone! Set regular reminders to remind you to take your medicines.
      • Set yourself your own targets. If you like, you can use our tips on how to manage your disease more effectively:
      • Let your doctor know if you are having difficulty attending your appointments. Whether the problem is the journey, the timing or other obstacles, together, you are sure to find a solution. Our tips for conversations with your treatment team may be helpful here:
      • Let your treatment team know straightaway if your contact details change so that you can always be reached.

      For any type of problem, it is a good idea to talk to your treatment team. Together, you can decide what support you need to manage your life with sickle cell disease as effectively as possible.

        Blood transfusions

        The red blood cells of people with sickle cell disease are broken down more quickly. This results in anaemia, which can cause fatigue and weakness.8 You can find further information about your red blood cells here.

        Blood transfusions can help to improve the blood's ability to transport oxygen.7

        A venous access is required to perform such a blood transfusion.9 In order to achieve this, an injection needle connected to a thin plastic tube is inserted into a vein in your arm.9 This is then used to transport a donor's blood from a bag into your body.9 This blood will be carefully screened before you receive the transfusion.9

        There are various types of transfusion:1,7

        • Simple ("top-up") transfusion: : In addition to your own blood, you receive blood from healthy donors. No blood is removed from your body.
        • Exchange transfusion: Your blood is exchanged for healthy donor blood.

        Exchange blood transfusions can be carried out manually or via automated control.7 With a manual exchange transfusion, small quantities of blood are removed from your body, and healthy donor blood is transported into your body via a transfusion.7 With an automated exchange transfusion, this process is controlled and monitored by a machine to which you are connected.7

          Transplantation

          Stem cell transplantation is currently the only option for curing sickle cell disease.10 This procedure involves people with the disease receiving stem cells from the bone marrow of healthy donors.1,7,10 These stem cells are then able to produce healthy red blood cells in the bone marrow of the recipient with sickle cell disease.10

          However, this procedure is not suitable for everyone, as a donor has to be found whose genetics are particularly well suited to those of the person receiving the transplant.1,7,10

          Transplantation procedures are complex, require experienced transplant doctors and can lead to further complications.1,7,10

          Talk to your doctor if you have questions about managing your sickle cell disease.

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          Resource hub:
          • Top tips for self-management
          • Your wellbeing diary
          • Set targets that work for you
          • Get the most out of your medical appointments
          VIEW ALL RESOURCES
          The website Realtalk! Sichelzellkrankheit is intended to support you with as many questions as possible about sickle cell disease.