Porphyria

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Porphyria cutanea tarda on the hands

Acute intermittent porphyria; Hereditary coproporphyria; Congenital erythropoietic porphyria; Erythropoietic protoporphyria

Some of the medicines used to treat a sudden (acute) attack of porphyria may include:

• Hematin given through a vein (intravenously)
• Pain medication
• Propranolol to control the heartbeat
• Sedatives to help you feel sleepy and less anxious

Other treatments may include:

• Beta-carotene supplements
• Chloroquine
• Fluids and glucose to boost carbohydrate levels, which helps limit the production of porphyrins
• Removal of blood (phlebotomy)

Depending on the type of porphyria you have, your doctor may tell you to:

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• Avoid all alcohol
• Avoid drugs that may trigger an attack
• Avoid injuring the skin
• Avoid sunlight as much as possible and use sunscreen when outside
• Eat a high-carbohydrate diet

Porphyrias are life-long diseases with symptoms that come and go. Some forms of the disease cause more symptoms than others. Proper treatment and avoidance of triggers can help prolong the time between attacks.

• Coma
• Gallstones
• Paralysis
• Respiratory failure (due to weakness of chest muscles)
• Scarring of the skin

Seek medical attention as soon as you have signs of an acute attack. Talk to your doctor about your risk for this condition if you have a long history of undiagnosed abdominal pain, muscle and nerve problems, and sensitivity to sunlight.

Review Date: 02/28/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).