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NSAIDs and opioids are used to manage acute pain episodes known as sickle cell crises. Long-term opioid use must be managed to prevent addiction.

Regular blood transfusions can help reduce the risk of stroke and other complications by providing normal red blood cells to carry oxygen efficiently.

Patients with sickle cell disease are at increased risk of infections. The pneumococcal vaccine helps reduce the risk of pneumonia, a common and serious infection.

Chelation therapy is used to remove excess iron from the body in patients who receive frequent blood transfusions, to prevent iron overload.

A potential cure, stem cell transplant replaces the sickle cell patient's bone marrow with healthy marrow. However, it's a high-risk procedure with a possibility of serious complications.

Hydroxyurea increases fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production, which reduces sickling of red blood cells and subsequent complications. Use is carefully monitored for dose-related toxicity.

Folic acid supplements support the increased production of red blood cells necessitated by hemolysis and help to prevent megaloblastic anemia.