Table 1. Initial treatment of critical... | American Society of Hematology

Table 1.

Initial treatment of critical bleeding in patients with ITP

Agent	Mechanism of action	Onset of effect	Risks
IVIG	Interferes with FcR-mediated opsonization of antibody-coated platelets by macrophages	Hours	Volume overload Headache Fever
Glucocorticoids	Inhibits macrophage-mediated platelet clearance Decreases IgG production	Days	Elevated blood glucose Hypertension Steroid psychosis
Platelet transfusions	Immediate supply of platelets	Immediate	Short duration of effect Transfusion reaction Bacterial infection from contaminated products
Tranexamic acid	Stabilizes hemostatic clots	Immediate	Headache Nausea

Agent	Mechanism of action	Onset of effect	Risks
IVIG	Interferes with FcR-mediated opsonization of antibody-coated platelets by macrophages	Hours	Volume overload Headache Fever
Glucocorticoids	Inhibits macrophage-mediated platelet clearance Decreases IgG production	Days	Elevated blood glucose Hypertension Steroid psychosis
Platelet transfusions	Immediate supply of platelets	Immediate	Short duration of effect Transfusion reaction Bacterial infection from contaminated products
Tranexamic acid	Stabilizes hemostatic clots	Immediate	Headache Nausea