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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffPolycythemia vera is a chronic condition that can't be cured. Treatment focuses on reducing your amount of blood cells. In many cases, treatment can prevent complications from polycythemia vera and decrease or eliminate the disease's signs and symptoms.
Treatment may include:
- Phlebotomy. This is usually the first treatment option for most people with polycythemia vera. Phlebotomy involves drawing a certain amount of blood from one of your veins. This reduces the number of blood cells and decreases your blood volume, making it easier for your blood to function properly. How often you need phlebotomy depends on the severity of your condition.
- Medication to decrease blood cells. Phlebotomy alone may not be enough to control the signs, symptoms and complications of polycythemia vera in some people. If this is the case for you, your doctor may prescribe medications, such as hydroxyurea or anagrelide, to suppress your bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells. Radioactive phosphorus (phosphorus 32 or p-32) also can be used to reduce the number of red blood cells. Interferon-alpha may be used to stimulate your immune system to fight the overproduction of red blood cells.
- Low-dose aspirin. Your doctor may recommend that you take a low dose of aspirin to reduce your risk of blood clots. Low-dose aspirin may also help reduce burning pain in your feet or hands.
- Therapy to reduce itching. If you have bothersome itching, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as antihistamines or H-2-receptor blockers, or recommend ultraviolet light treatment to relieve your discomfort.
- Diseases and conditions index: What is polycythemia vera. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/poly/poly_whatis.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2009.
- Tefferi A, et al. Prognosis and treatment of polycythemia vera. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
- Sirhan S, et al. Management of polycythemia vera. In: Silver RT. Myeloproliferative Disorders: Biology and Management. New York, N.Y.: Informa Healthcare; 2008:87.
- Polycythemia vera. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. www.merck.com/mmpe/sec11/ch141/ch141d.html#sec11-ch141-ch141d-694. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
- P-32. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/templates/db_alpha.aspx?CdrID=44869. Accessed Feb. 14, 2009.
