Symptomatic treatment of Fabry disease requires a multidisciplinary approach as a result of the varied nature of symptoms; multiple, concomitant treatments are therefore usually necessary.1 Organ function, symptom control and psychosocial aspects of the condition all require consideration.1 The table below outlines the most common symptomatic and/or concomitant treatments for patients.
SIGN OR SYMPTOM | TREATMENT(S) USED |
---|---|
Cardiovascular disease | Chest pain: Anti-angina drugs (beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, nitrates) Heart failure: Diuretics, angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, digoxin Abnormal heart rhythms: Anti-arrhythmic drugs, anti-coagulating drugs, implantable cardioverter or defibrillator Bradycardia (slow heart beat): Pacemaker |
Renal disease | Proteinuria: ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) Renal failure: Dialysis, transplantation |
Pain | Chronic pain: Anticonvulsants (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, gabapentin) Painful crises: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opiates |
Gastrointestinal symptoms | Nausea and vomiting: Anti-emetics (e.g. metoclopramide) Diet and nutrition: Low-fat diet, oral nutritional formula, motility agents, pancreatic enzyme supplements |
Skin lesions (angiokeratoma) | Removal with argon laser therapy |
Sweating abnormalities (hypohidrosis oranhidrosis) | Washing in cool water, use of a fan, cold drinks, limitation of physical activity |
Neurovascular disease | Aspirin, clopidogrel (oral anti-platelet drug that reduces the risk of blood clotting; also given after a stroke or a heart attack) |
Hypertension (high blood pressure) | Rigorous control (e.g. with ACE inhibitors; beta-blockers should be avoided if bradycardia is present) |
Hyperlipidaemia (high levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, or both total cholesterol and triglyceride) | Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) |