Hemophilia: Treatment

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Other Types of Treatment

Desmopressin

Desmopressin Acetate (“desmopressin”) is a man-made hormone used to treat people with mild to moderate hemophilia A. Desmopressin can’t be used to treat hemophilia B or severe hemophilia A.

Desmopressin stimulates the release of stored factor VIII and von Willebrand factor and increases the level of these proteins in your blood. Von Willebrand factor carries and binds factor VIII, which then can stay in the bloodstream longer.

Desmopressin usually is given by injection (DDAVP^®) or in a concentrated nasal spray (Stimate®). Because the effect of this medicine wears off when used often, it’s given only in certain situations. For example, your doctor may have you take this medicine prior to dental work or before playing certain sports to prevent or reduce bleeding.

Antifibrinolytic Medicines

Antifibrinolytic medicines (including tranexamic acid and aminocaproic acid) may be used with replacement therapy. They're usually given as a pill, and they help keep clots from breaking down. They’re most often used:

• Before dental work
• For treating bleeding from the mouth or nose
• For mild intestinal bleeding

Gene Therapy

Researchers are trying to develop ways to correct the defective genes that cause hemophilia to cure the disorder. Such gene therapy hasn’t yet developed to the point that it’s an accepted treatment. But researchers continue to test gene therapies for hemophilia in clinical trials.