Sickle cell disease changes the structure of red blood cells, transforming them from flexible, disc-shaped cells into rigid, crescent-shaped ones. When these sickled cells travel through blood vessels, they can stick together and block blood flow, leading to a dangerous event known as a vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). During these episodes, tissues starved of oxygen trigger an inflammatory cascade, resulting in excruciating pain. VOCs are a serious medical emergency that can lead to permanent organ damage if left untreated. Our Oxbryta injury lawyers are prepared to help if you suffer harm due to an unsafe medication.
Common Symptoms and Warning Signs of a Vaso-Occlusive Crisis
The main symptom of a VOC is pain—typically in your back, chest, or limbs. This pain sometimes follows a pattern: it starts as a mild ache with possible tingling as oxygen levels drop in your tissues. Within days, this pain becomes intense and acute as tissues begin to suffer damage. This is followed by severe, constant pain, sometimes with fever, as your body responds to tissue damage. The crisis typically resolves over one to two days, though sometimes multiple episodes can occur back-to-back.
Cold temperatures, dehydration, infections, and stress are common triggers for these painful episodes. Additionally, certain sickle cell medications like Oxbryta can lead to a VOC. These episodes often require hospitalization and can lead to serious long-term health problems like kidney failure, arthritis, and strokes if they occur repeatedly.
Treatment Options for Vaso-Occlusive Crises
Your doctor may use several approaches to treat a VOC. For severe pain, they may prescribe strong prescription painkillers like opioids. Milder pain might be managed with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. While in the hospital, you might receive a patient-controlled analgesia pump: a special device that lets you control your pain medication as needed.
Your medical provider will also give you IV fluids to prevent dehydration, which can make a VOC worse. If your oxygen levels drop, you will receive supplemental oxygen to help you breathe better. Severe cases may require blood transfusions to increase your healthy red blood cell count. In extreme cases, your doctor might perform an exchange transfusion, replacing some of your blood to reduce the percentage of sickled cells.
Can a Vaso-Occlusive Crisis Be Caused by Medication?
In September 2024, Pfizer recalled its sickle cell medication Oxbryta worldwide after discovering it increased VOC risk. The FDA had fast-tracked this drug in 2019 because it was designed to prevent sickled cells from blocking blood flow. However, recent studies revealed that patients taking Oxbryta experienced more serious complications than those on placebos. These complications included organ damage, strokes, kidney failure, and in some cases, death. Now, patients who experienced a VOC while taking Oxbryta are filing lawsuits against Pfizer for failing to disclose this dangerous risk.
Seek Justice with Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC
If you or a loved one has experienced a vaso-occlusive crisis while taking Oxbryta, you may have grounds for legal action. At Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, we understand the devastating toll these painful episodes can inflict on patients who were simply seeking treatment for their condition. Our attorneys have recovered compensation for thousands of clients harmed by pharmaceutical products—you can trust our firm to fight for you. Contact us at (800) 220-0984 for a free, confidential consultation about your potential claim.