Haemolytic anaemia

Patients who have had a splenectomy should receive prophylactic antibiotics for fever. No precautions are necessary for those treated with corticosteroids or rituximab, although patients with diabetes require closer monitoring of blood glucose levels.

Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency should avoid triggers of haemolysis, which may include naphthalene, fava beans, sulphonamides, nitrofurantoin, salicylates, nitrites, dapsone, ribavirin, phenazopyridine, or paraquat. Patients who have had other drug-related types of haemolysis should also avoid repeat exposure to the triggering medication.

Family members of patients with inherited forms of haemolysis should be tested for the disorder if they are found to be anaemic.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis should be considered in patients with marked haemolysis and risk factors (e.g., prior thrombosis).[38]Jäger U, Barcellini W, Broome CM, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in adults: recommendations from the First International Consensus Meeting. Blood Rev. 2020 May;41:100648. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31839434?tool=bestpractice.com