Large amounts of porphyrins are excreted in the urine and feces. Treatment of this condition has been primarily symptomatic and varies in its effectiveness. Emphasis is on prevention of attacks by avoiding fasting and drugs that precipitate the symptoms. Photosensitivity may be controlled by avoiding exposure to light. Removal of the spleen is useful in some cases of the erythropoietic type of porphyria.
Drug therapy includes the use of phenothiazines, chlorpromazine and promazine in particular.
These drugs allay pain and nervousness and apparently allow a period of remission from symptoms. Patients with porphyria must not be given barbiturates, sulfonamides, alcohol, or chloroquine as these chemicals may precipitate or intensify attacks. It is recommended that patients with this disease carry with them at all times some means of identifying themselves as having porphyria so that in an emergency they will not be given a drug that may precipitate an attack, and possibly cause death. All rights reserved.