About AHP
Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a rare genetic disease characterized by debilitating, potentially life-threatening attacks1,2
There are 4 types of AHP1,3

- Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP)~80% of all AHP cases are AIP1
- Variegate Porphyria (VP)
- Hereditary Coproporphyria (HCP)
- ALAD-Deficiency Porphyria (ADP)
ALAD, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase
AHP attacks can be severe, unpredictable, and progressive1
- AHP can affect anyone, but is most commonly seen in women of childbearing age3
- Attacks generally last 3 to 7 days, but recovery can take longer1
- Severe attacks can progress to respiratory failure or paralysis, leading to temporary or permanent disability2,4
- Some patients with AHP may develop long-term complications, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and hypertension4
Common signs and symptoms of an AHP attack2,5,6
SEVERE, DIFFUSE ABDOMINAL PAIN5,6

AUTONOMIC
Nervous System5,6
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Constipation
- Tachycardia
- Systemic arterial hypertension
CENTRAL
Nervous System2,5,6
- Seizures
- Anxiety
- Mental status changes
PERIPHERAL
Nervous System5,6
- Limb weakness
or pain - Peripheral neuropathy
CUTANEOUS6
- Skin lesions on
sun-exposed areas (Cutaneous symptoms primarily occur in HCP and VP.)
OTHER
Common AHP Symptoms6,7
- Hyponatremia
- Dark, reddish urine
AHP=acute hepatic porphyria; HCP=hereditary coproporphyria; VP=variegate porphyria.
AHP can go undiagnosed for many years3,10
Because of overlapping symptoms, patients with AHP are often misdiagnosed with other diseases such as5,8,9:

Gastrointestinal disorders
- Acute gastroenteritis
- with vomiting
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Hepatitis

Gynecological disorder
- Endometriosis

Neurological/neuropsychiatric disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Psychosis

Acute abdomen conditions
- Appendicitis
- Cholecystitis
- Peritonitis
- Pancreatitis
- Intestinal occlusion
Explore the journeys of real AHP patients on GIVLAARI
Every patient with AHP has a unique story to tell. Discover the journeys to diagnosis and beyond for three real patients with AHP.
See Their StoriesReferences: 1. Simon A, Pompilus F, Querbes W, et al. Patient. 2018;11:527-537. 2. Puy H, Gouya L, Deybach JC. Lancet. 2010;375:924-937. 3. Bissell DM, Anderson KE, Bonkovsky HL. N Engl J Med. 2017;377:862-872. 4. Neeleman RA, Wagenmakers MAEM, Koole-Lesuis RH, et al. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2018;41:809-817. 5. Ventura P, Cappellini MD, Biolcati G, Guida CC, Rocchi E; Gruppo Italiano Porfiria (GrIP). Eur J Intern Med. 2014;25:497-505. 6. Anderson KE, Bloomer JR, Bonkovsky HL, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:439-451. 7. Balwani M, Wang B, Anderson KE, et al; Porphyrias Consortium of the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network. Hepatology. 2017;66:1314-1322. 8. Ko JJ, Murray S, Merkel M, et al. Poster presented at: American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting; October 5-10, 2018; Philadelphia, PA. 9. Alfadhel M, Saleh N, Alenazi H, Baffoe-Bonnie H. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014;10:2135-2137. 10. Anderson, KE. Mol Genet Metab. 2019;128:219-227.