Any of three major classes of compounds can be used in the management of pain in SCD. These compounds include opioid, non-opioid, and adjuvants.
- Opioids include codeine, levophanol, morphine, oxycodone, and pethidine, among others.
- Non-opioids include salicylates, nonacetylated salicylates, acetic acid derivatives, anthranilic acid derivatives, proprionic acid derivatives, and oxicams.
- Adjuvants include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines.
Adakveo (crizanlizumab) has been developed for the treatment of pain during sickle cell crises.
Additionally, new treatments to prevent sickling of cells are being developed and approved. In late 2019, the FDA approved Oxbryta (voxelotor) which inhibits deoxygenated sickle hemoglobin polymerization.
