WHY DO MY
CELLS SICKLE?
ABRAHAMSoccer fan, nurse, and actual Oxbryta patient
SICKLE CELL IS CAUSED BY A SICKLE GENE INSIDE RED BLOOD CELLS THAT IS INHERITED FROM BOTH PARENTS
With sickle cell, the hemoglobin in the red blood cell releases oxygen, causing it to clump together (polymerize) and change into a sickle, or banana shape.
HEALTHY RED BLOOD CELLS
are flexible, can change shape easily, and can travel through blood vessels of any size.
HEMOGLOBIN
is a special protein inside red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout the body.
POLYMERIZATION & SICKLING
occur when hemoglobin inside red blood cells clumps together and causes red blood cells to change into a sickle shape.
WHAT SICKLING CAN TRIGGER
Polymerization, which causes sickling, can cause other things to happen in the body, including serious consequences that may lead to long-term damage:
NEMIA:
When red blood cells break down, the body does not have the amount of healthy red blood cells that it needs. This is called anemia, and this type of anemia could result in the body not having enough oxygen. Over time, lack of oxygen can damage body tissue, organs, and joints.
EMOLYSIS:
Polymerization and sickling weaken red blood, cells causing them to break down (hemolysis).
ASO-OCCLUSIONS/PAIN CRISES:
Sickled cells can block blood flow. When a blood vessel is partially or completely blocked, a pain crisis may occur.
HEMOLYSIS CAUSES BILIRUBIN AND RETICULOCYTES TO INCREASE
Signs & Symptoms
The breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs)
Bilirubin
When there are high levels of bilirubin, yellowing of the eyes and skin may occur (jaundice).
Reticulocyte
High numbers of reticulocytes mean that the body is working to replace broken down RBCs.
Too few RBCs
Oxygen
When RBCs break down, less RBCs can deliver oxygen throughout your body.
ANEMIA IS ANOTHER RESULT OF RED BLOOD CELLS BREAKING DOWN
Signs
Too few RBCs
Hemoglobin
A protein in RBCs that carries oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues.
When there are low levels of hemoglobin, you may experience anemia.
Too few RBCs
Oxygen
When your body does not have the amount of RBCs that it needs, this may mean not enough oxygen is being delivered throughout your body.
Please note all signs and symptoms that you experience and advise your healthcare professional.
A CLOSER LOOK
Take a look inside the red blood cell to learn more about why cells sickle and the impact sickling can have on the body.
"My sickle cell is more than pain."
– MUYIWA
Actual Oxbryta patient
Actual Oxbryta patient
SICKLE CELL IS A 365-DAY-A-YEAR CONDITION
When many people think about sickle cell, they only think about the painful crises that can put those living with sickle cell in the hospital. Many don't realize that sickle cell is more than that.
Sickle cell is a 365-day-a-year condition. That can mean living with day-to-day fatigue, yellow eyes from jaundice, and shortness of breath—all things you can easily feel and see.
But in addition, damage from sickle cell is always happening even if you don’t have pain crises or feel sick at all. Even when you feel fine, sickle cell may be causing damage. This damage can mean harm for many parts of your body.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO BETTER MANAGE MY CONDITION?
Labs and screenings help you and your healthcare provider to proactively manage your sickle cell.
They can show if you are becoming anemic, if your blood cells are making too few red blood cells, if the red blood cells are breaking down too quickly, or if there are any other changes happening in your body.
There are some basics that can help you manage your sickle cell successfully. Be sure to see your healthcare provider regularly and establish an open dialogue so you can get the care you need.
Actual Oxbryta patient
Knowing your numbers is important
Your healthcare provider may check your lab reports for the following levels:
- Hemoglobin
- Red blood cells
- Reticulocytes
- Bilirubin
Knowing your labs can tell you and your healthcare provider if you have or are at risk for anemia or any other damage or complications from sickle cell.
HOW CAN A ONCE-DAILY MEDICINE HELP?
About Oxbryta
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION
Do not take OXBRYTA if you or your child have had an allergic reaction to voxelotor or any of the ingredients in OXBRYTA. See the end of the patient leaflet for a list of the ingredients in OXBRYTA.
Before taking OXBRYTA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you or your child:
- have liver problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if OXBRYTA can harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OXBRYTA can pass into your breastmilk and if it can harm your baby. Do not breastfeed during treatment with OXBRYTA and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you or your child take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how OXBRYTA works. OXBRYTA may also affect how other medicines work and may affect the results of certain blood tests. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider.
What should I avoid while taking OXBRYTA?
Do not take St. John’s wort during treatment with OXBRYTA.
What are the possible side effects of OXBRYTA?
OXBRYTA can cause serious side effects, including:
Serious allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you get:
- rash
- hives
- shortness of breath (difficult breathing)
- swelling of the face
The most common side effects of OXBRYTA include:
- headache
- diarrhea
- stomach-area (abdominal) pain
- nausea
- rash or hives
- fever
The most common side effects of OXBRYTA in children ages 4 to less than 12 years of age include:
- fever
- vomiting
- rash
- stomach-area (abdominal) pain
- diarrhea
- headache
These are not all the possible side effects of OXBRYTA.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Global Blood Therapeutics at 1-833-428-4968 (1-833-GBT-4YOU).
Keep OXBRYTA and all medicines out of the reach of children.
INDICATION
What is OXBRYTA?
OXBRYTA is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of sickle cell disease in adults and children 4 years of age and older.
It is not known if OXBRYTA is safe and effective in children with sickle cell disease below 4 years of age.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on increase in hemoglobin (Hb). Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
Oxbryta®, GBT Source®, GBT Source Solutions® are registered trademarks of Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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