How is von Willebrand Disease treated?

Von Willebrand disease, Medication, Treatments

Most cases of von Willebrand disease are mild and often do not require treatment. Treatment may only be needed after a surgery, tooth extraction, or an accident. For those who need treatment, one or more of the following may be used:

Medication to increase the production of the von Willebrand factor
Medication to prevent breakdown of clots
Medication to control heavy menstrual bleeding in women
Injection of clotting factor concentrates (containing von Willebrand factor and factor VIII).

Your doctor will decide what treatment you need based on the severity and the type of disease your have. Specific treatments include:

Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic hormone usually given by injection or nasal spray. It works by making the body produce more von Willebrand factor, which also increases the level of factor VIII activity. DDAVP is effective in treating most patients with Type 1 disease and some with Type 2a disease.

Replacement therapy is the injection of a concentrate of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII. This treatment can be used in:

Patients who cannot take DDAVP or who need prolonged treatment

Patients with Type 1 disease who do not respond to DDAVP

Patients with Type 2b disease

Patients with Type 3 disease.

Oral contraceptives (or birth control pills) can help women who have heavy menstrual bleeding. The hormones in the pills can increase von Willebrand factor and factor VIII activity.

Antifibrinolytic drugs help prevent the breakdown of clotting factors in the blood. They are used mostly in von Willebrand patients to stop bleeding following minor surgery, tooth extraction, or an injury. They may be used alone or together with DDAVP and replacement therapy.

Fibrin glue is medicine placed directly on a wound to stop the bleeding.