3 Tips for Safe Use of Medicines for People with Sickle Cell Disease

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People with sickle cell disease (SCD) are often prescribed medicines for common complications of SCD. If your provider prescribes you medicine, take the following steps:

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Ask your provider about the benefits and risks of your medicine.

Although medicines can have lifesaving benefits, they sometimes come with risks. It’s important to learn about both before you start taking your medicine.

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Take your medicine exactly as prescribed.

It is important to take the right amount, at the right time, and in the right way. Not doing so can seriously affect your health. Talk to your provider if, for any reason, you are having trouble following your treatment plan.

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Report any side effects of your medicine.

If you are experiencing side effects from your medicine, report them to your provider so that he/she can treat the side effects and change your treatment plan, if needed.

This information is based on ASH SCD Guidelines: Cardiopulmonary and Kidney Diseaseexternal icon.

Social Media Resources: Tips for Safe Use of Medicines

Increase awareness about the steps to better health for people with SCD by sharing these resources on social media channels.

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Page last reviewed: March 8, 2022
Content source:  National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention