Anemia or anemia can be treated by taking blood-boosting drugs and adequate intake of foods high in iron. But before taking blood-boosting drugs, first know the types and side effects.
Blood-boosting drugs are given to treat anemia, such as anemia and neutropenia. Anemia occurs when the blood does not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin, the main part of red blood cells that binds oxygen. As a result, the cells in the body do not get enough oxygen.
Meanwhile, neutropenia is a condition when the number of neutrophil white blood cells in the body is low or below the normal number. Neutrophils play a role in fighting infections, especially those caused by bacteria and fungi.
Blood Enhancing Drugs for Anemia
There are several types of blood-boosting drugs that can be consumed to treat anemia, including:
Iron, vitamin B12, and folate
To produce red blood cells, the body needs iron, vitamin B12, and folate. If these three substances are not fulfilled from daily nutritional intake, the body is at risk of developing anemia.
If it is caused by iron deficiency anemia, the body requires additional intake of iron supplements so that the process of forming red blood cells can run normally.
Likewise, if the condition of anemia occurs due to deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate. The body will need additional vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements.
However, iron, vitamin B12, and folate supplements can cause side effects such as dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and constipation, and decreased appetite. However, these side effects generally occur if the supplement is taken in high doses.
Recombinant human erythropoietin
The growth of red blood cells in the blood is regulated by hormones erythropoietin (EPO) produced by the kidneys. When this hormone cannot be produced due to certain diseases, the body will experience anemia.
Recombinant human erythropoietin used for the treatment of chronic anemia caused by disturbances in the hormone EPO, both in children and adults.
In addition, this blood-boosting drug can also be used by patients with chronic kidney failure, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, HIV patients, and patients requiring long-term blood transfusions.
However, this drug cannot be given to patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure, allergies to products made from animal protein, epilepsy, chronic liver failure, red blood cell disorders such as sickle cell anemia, cancer, and pregnant and lactating women.
Recombinant human erythropoietin It also has side effects in the form of headaches, allergic reactions, joint pain, nausea, fatigue, fever, and increased blood pressure.
Blood Enhancing Drugs for Neutropenia
To treat neutropenia, there are several types of blood-boosting drugs that can be consumed, namely:
Recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor
The growth of white blood cells, including neutrophils in the body, occurs in the bone marrow and is controlled by a substance called granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). If there is a disease or medical disorder that inhibits the work of G-CSF, the body will experience a shortage of neutrophil cells or neutropenia.
There are three types of blood-boosting drugs that act as synthetic G-CSF, namely lenograstim, filgrastim, and pelfigrastim.
These drugs are used to treat neutropenia caused by several conditions, such as after chemotherapy, impaired white blood cell growth, and bone marrow transplant surgery.
This blood-boosting drug cannot be given to patients with allergies to synthetic G-CSF drugs, impaired kidney and liver function, and leukemia patients who have not undergone chemotherapy treatment.
Synthetic G-CSF drugs also have side effects such as bone pain, headache, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, and hair loss.
Stem cell therapy (stem cell therapy)
Stem cell therapy is a treatment method for treating impaired growth of blood cells in the bone marrow. This therapy is now used as a blood-boosting drug for various diseases, such as aplastic anemia, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
This therapy can cause a number of side effects, namely pain, rejection reactions to donor cells, infection, and organ damage.
If you suffer from anemia or neutropenia, consult your doctor to find out the right type of blood-boosting medication according to the cause of your condition.