Thal Pals #5

People with hemoglobin H disease, a form of alpha thalassemia, make less than the usual amount of alpha globin. This can cause anemia, which can vary from mild to severe. Many people with hemoglobin H disease do not have serious health problems and in many people, the anemia is mild enough that transfusions are not necessary.

Hemoglobin H-Constant Spring is a form of hemoglobin H disease in which the anemia may be more severe. (This is the form which affects Thuc, in the comic strip above.) Blood transfusions, either occasionally or regularly, are more common with this form of hemoglobin H; but again, not all individuals with hemoglobin H-Constant Spring require blood transfusions.

Certain medications and products can cause anemia to worsen for people with hemoglobin H disease. These include:

Sulfa drugs:

Sulfacetamide (eye drops)

Sulfapyridine

Sulfasalazine

(Salicylazosulfapyridine)

Sulfanilamide

Dapsone

Antimalarials:

Primaquine

Chloroquine

Hydrozychloroquine sulfate

Other antibactierals:

Nalidixic acid (Negram)

Nitrofurantonin

Furazolidone

Chlooramphenicol

Beta-amniosalicylic acid

Ciprofloxacin

Doxycycline

Analgesics:

Aspirin*

Phenacetin

Acetanilide

Tuberculosis drugs:

Isoniazid

Rifampin

Folic Acid Antagonists

Pyrimethamine

Other items:

Iron supplements

Vitamin K analogues

Quinidine gluconate

Phenazopyridine (puridium)

Toluidine Blue (a dye)

Methylene Blue (a dye)

Naphthalene (Mothballs)

Fava beans

*Acetaminophen is safe as an alternative to aspirin.