The US FDA approved the first drug in 20 years for patients suffering from sickle cell anemia, a dangerous genetic blood disease, according to Pannochka, an online publication for girls and women aged 14 to 35.. net Previously, patients with sickle cell anemia were prescribed only hydroxyurea. Now the amino acid L-glutamine (trade name Endari), developed by Emmaus Medical Inc., will enter the practice.. This remedy is designed to reduce the severity of severe complications of the disease, but it cannot cure it..

In sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin acquires a characteristic crystalline structure. This limits blood flow, oxygen delivery and leads to chronic hypoxia, anemia and pain..

The effectiveness of the new drug was proved by clinical trials involving patients 5-58 years old with a pain crisis two or more times a year.. Treated volunteers for 48 months. The study showed that the new agent reduced the frequency of visits to the doctor for pain relief (by parenteral administration of narcotic painkiller or ketorolac) compared with placebo (3 times vs. 4 times). Plus, there were fewer facts of hospitalization (2 versus 3) and fewer days in the hospital (average 6.5 versus 11).

Adults and children over 5 years of age can use the new drug.

According to the FDA, common side effects of the drug are constipation, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, cough, pain in the extremities, back and chest pain..

aspect. net.