blood disorders
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
Treatment of TTP
Corticosteroids and plasma exchange Sometimes the drugrituximab Caplacizumab(rarely) With thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), people are often treated with corticosteroids and plasma exchange (plasma transfusions along with Plateletpheresis (platelet donation) ). In plasmapheresis, blood is taken from the person and put in a machine that separates the blood cells from the liquid part of the blood (plasma). The plasma, which contains disease-causing antibodies, is discarded and the blood cells are returned to the person along with fresh plasma obtained from health donors. Rituximabis a drug that suppresses the immune system and is often used in people with TTP to prevent relapse after being treated with corticosteroids and plasmapheresis. Caplacizumabis a drug that inhibits the interaction between a protein involved in clotting and platelets. Althoughcaplacizumabmay reduce the need for plasma exchange and speed recovery in TTP, it may increase the risk of bleeding. 