ANTIHEMOPHILICFACTOR (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Alphanate
- Advate
- Bioclate
- Helixate
- Hemofil M
- Humate-P
- Hyate:C
- Koate-HP
- Kogenate
- Kogenate FS
- Helixate FS
- Monarc-M
- Monoclate-P
- Recombinate
In Canada?
- Hemofil M
- Hyate:C
- Koate-HP
- Kogenate
- Recombinate
Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.
Other commonly used names are AHF, factor VIII, and rAHF-PFM.
Category
Description
Antihemophilic (an-tee-hee-moe-FIL-ik) factor (AHF)is a protein produced naturally in the body. It helps the blood form clotsto stop bleeding.
Hemophilia A, also called classical hemophilia, is a condition in whichthe body does not make enough AHF. If you do not have enough AHF and you becomeinjured, your blood will not form clots as it should, and you may bleed intoand damage your muscles and joints. One type of AHF is used to treat anothercondition called von Willebrand disease, in which there is a risk of bleeding.AHF also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
The AHF that your doctor will give you is obtained naturally from humanor pig blood or artificially by a man-made process.
AHF obtained from human blood has been treated. It is not likely to containharmful viruses such as hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C virus (non-A, non-Bhepatitis); or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquiredimmunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The man-made and pork AHF products do notcontain these viruses.
AHF is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage form:
Parenteral- Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For antihemophilic factor(AHF), the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to AHF. Also tell your health care professional if you areallergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been donein either humans or animals. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctorknows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether AHF passes into breastmilk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, manyof them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using thismedicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?This medicine has been tested in children and, ineffective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problemsthan it does in adults.
Older adults?This medicine has been tested and has not been shownto cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does inyounger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of AHF. Make sure you tell your doctor if youhave any other medical problems.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Some medicinesgiven by injection may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not needto be in the hospital. If you are using this medicine at home, your healthcare professional will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Youwill have a chance to practice preparing and injecting it. Be certain that you understand exactly how the medicine is to be preparedand injected.
To prepare this medicine:
- Take the dry medicine and the liquid (diluent) out of the refrigeratoror freezer and bring them to room temperature, as directed by your doctor.
- Wipe rubber surface of bottles with alcohol swab and allow to dry.
- When injecting the liquid (diluent) into the dry medicine, aim the stream of liquid (diluent) against the wall of the containerof dry medicine to prevent foaming.
- Swirl the container gently to dissolve the medicine.Do not shake the container.
- Check the solution to make sure it is clear. Do not use medicineif you can see anything solid in the solution or if the solution is cloudy
Use this medicine right away. It should notbe kept longer than 3 hours after it has been prepared, as directed on thepackage or by your doctor.
A plastic disposable syringe and filter needle mustbe used with this medicine. The medicine may stick to the inside ofa glass syringe, and you may not receive a full dose.
Do not reuse syringes and needles. Put used syringesand needles in a puncture-resistant disposable container, or disposeof them as directed by your health care professional.
Dosing?The dose of antihemophilic factor (AHF) willbe different for different patients. The dose you receive will be based on:
- Your body weight.
- The amount of AHF your body is able to make.
- How much, how often, and where in your body you are bleeding.
- Whether or not your body has built up a defense (antibody) againstthis medicine.
Your dose of this medicine may even be different at different times. Itis important that you follow your doctor's orders.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, check withyour doctor as soon as possible for instructions. If you cannot reach yourdoctor, use your usual dose as soon as you remember.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Some AHF products must be stored in the refrigerator and some inthe freezer. However, some of them may be kept at room temperature for shortperiods of time. Store this medicine as directed by your doctor or by themanufacturer.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If youwere recently diagnosed with hemophilia A, you should receive hepatitis Aand hepatitis B vaccines to reduce even further your risk of getting hepatitisA or B from antihemophilic factor.
It is recommended that you carry identification statingthat you have hemophilia A, and what medicine you are using. If youhave any questions about what kind of identification to carry, check withyour health care professional.
After a while, your body may build up a defense (antibody) against thismedicine. Tell your doctor if this medicine seems tobe less effective than usual.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. Yourdoctor may watch for others by doing certain tests.
Check with your doctorimmediately if any of the following side effects occur, because theymay mean that you are having a serious allergic reaction to the medicine:
Less common or rare
Changes in facial skin color; fast orirregular breathing; puffiness or swelling of theeyelids or around the eyes; shortness of breath,troubled breathing, tightness in chest, and/or wheezing; skin rash, hives, and/or itching
Also, check with your doctor as soon as possibleif any of the following occur:
Less common or rare
Chills; fever; nausea; tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skindiscoloration, and noticeable veins over affected area; sensation of burning, warmth, heat, numbness, tightness, or tingling; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusualtiredness or weakness
Other side effects may occur that usually donot need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effectsnot listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any othereffects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 03/30/2004
