Treatment For Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Immune Globulin Injection

In cases where corticosteroids aren't helpful, your doctor might use an immune globulin injection, called an IVIG. Doctors might use this method when a patient has critical levels of bleeding, or when they need to have their blood count increased quickly before surgery. The injection's effect generally wears off after a few weeks. There are some possible side effects, including low blood pressure, vomiting, and a headache.

IVIG is often employed in critical situations in which the patient has severe internal bleeding that won't clot, severe bleeding from a wound, or other serious idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura symptoms. Cases that necessitate emergency treatment are rare, but severe bleeding has occurred. IVIG won't be the only treatment used in the course of emergency care, however. Usually, intravenous immune globulin will be combined with an intravenous corticosteroid and transfusions of platelets.

Continue to learn about emergency treatment next.