About Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Red blood cells normally live about 120 days. In warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, antibodies coat them at body temperature, which is where the word warm comes from, and immune cells, mainly in the spleen, remove them early. When the bone marrow cannot keep up, anemia follows, and the broken-down cells can turn the skin and eyes yellow and the urine dark.
Doctors confirm it with blood tests:
- low hemoglobin and a high reticulocyte count, the young red cells the marrow releases to keep up
- signs of red cell destruction: high LDH and bilirubin, and low haptoglobin
- a positive direct antiglobulin test, also called a Coombs test, which finds antibodies on the red cells
- a search for any condition causing it, such as lupus or a lymphoma, which the 2020 international consensus recommends for everyone
The main treatments, according to that consensus, NORD and the FDA:
- corticosteroids such as prednisone, the first treatment
- rituximab, which the consensus says should be considered early in severe cases or when steroids do not work quickly
- Imaavy (nipocalimab), an IV infusion every 4 weeks, FDA-approved on August 24, 2026 for people 12 and older who take or have taken steroids; in its trial, 24% on the approved dose reached and held a hemoglobin of at least 10 g/dL, a rise of at least 2 g/dL, compared with 8% on placebo
- other immunosuppressants such as mycophenolate, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, removal of the spleen, and transfusions when anemia is severe
wAIHA is also linked to a higher risk of blood clots, especially in the weeks after diagnosis.
Common Symptoms of Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Recognizing the signs of Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia early can lead to faster diagnosis and better outcomes. Symptoms may vary in severity from person to person. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the following, consider speaking with a specialist.
- Tiredness and weakness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath, dizziness or a pounding heartbeat
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Dark, tea-colored urine
- An enlarged spleen, which can feel like fullness in the belly
Who Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Affects
wAIHA can start at any age, including childhood, but new cases peak between ages 50 and 70, with a median age at onset of 52 (NORD). It may be slightly more common in women.
In most people no cause is found, which doctors call primary wAIHA. In others, called secondary wAIHA, another condition triggers it, such as lupus, a lymphoma, an infection, a medicine or pregnancy, and treating that cause can change the plan.
Find Your Next Step
FDA-Approved Treatments for Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
There is currently 1 FDA-approved medication for Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. These therapies represent the current standard of care and may be used alongside or compared against investigational treatments in active clinical trials.
Source: openFDA drug labeling data. This list may not include all treatments. Always consult your doctor.
Help Paying for Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Treatment
Charity funds and drugmaker programs for Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, checked at the source.
Side Effect Explorer
Real-world side effect reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Includes both FDA-approved drugs and investigational therapies from active clinical trials. Click any drug to see what patients reported.
Loading side effect data...
Diagnosis and Testing
wAIHA is an autoimmune disease, not an inherited one. It is diagnosed with blood tests, including a direct antiglobulin (Coombs) test, and a search for any condition causing it, such as lupus or a lymphoma. There is no gene test for it.
Trusted Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Resources
Reputable organizations and medical references for learning more about Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, including disease registries, foundation resources, and clinical guidelines.
- NORD - Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
- FDA - FDA Approves First Drug for Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (August 25, 2026)
- DailyMed - Imaavy (nipocalimab-aahu) prescribing information
- Jager U et al. Diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in adults: Recommendations from the First International Consensus Meeting. Blood Rev 2020
- ClinicalTrials.gov - Rilzabrutinib in Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (NCT07086976)
- ClinicalTrials.gov - Nipocalimab (M281) in Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (NCT04119050)