What Is Antihemophilic Factor

Antihemophilic factor is a naturally occurring protein in the blood that helps blood to clot. A lack of antihemophilic factor VIII is the cause of hemophilia A.
This medication works by temporarily raising levels of factor VIII in the blood to aid in clotting.
Human antihemophilic factor is used to treat or prevent bleeding episodes in adults and children with hemophilia A. It is also used to control bleeding related to surgery or dentistry in a person with hemophilia.
Human antihemophilic factor is not for use in people with von Willebrand disease.
Human antihemophilic factor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Antihemophilic factor is a naturally occurring protein in the blood that helps blood to clot. A lack of antihemophilic factor VIII is the cause of hemophilia A.
Recombinant antihemophilic factor works by temporarily raising levels of factor VIII in the blood to aid in clotting.
Recombinant antihemophilic factor is used to treat or prevent bleeding episodes in adults and children with hemophilia A. It is also used to control bleeding related to surgery or dentistry in a person with hemophilia, and to prevent joint damage in people age 16 or older with severe hemophilia A and no prior joint damage.
Recombinant antihemophilic factor is not for use in people with von Willebrand disease.
Recombinant antihemophilic factor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor in the past, or if you are allergic to mouse proteins.
Before using human antihemophilic factor, your specific blood clotting disorder must be diagnosed as factor VIII deficiency. Human antihemophilic factor will not treat von Willebrand disease.
Your body may develop antibodies to this medication, making it less effective. Call your doctor if this medicine seems to be less effective in controlling your bleeding.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you have hemophilia. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder.
This medicine is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Do not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor in the past, or if you are allergic to mouse proteins.
Before using human antihemophilic factor, your specific blood clotting disorder must be diagnosed as factor VIII deficiency. Human antihemophilic factor will not treat von Willebrand disease.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether antihemophilic factor will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether human antihemophilic factor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
This medicine is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
Your doctor may want you to receive a hepatitis vaccination before you start using human antihemophilic factor.
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor, or if you are allergic to mouse or beef proteins.
Before using recombinant antihemophilic factor, your specific blood clotting disorder must be diagnosed as factor VIII deficiency. Recombinant antihemophilic factor will not treat von Willebrand disease.
It is not known whether recombinant antihemophilic factor will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
It is not known whether recombinant antihemophilic factor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Antihemophilic Factor Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; feeling light-headed, fainting; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
  • easy bruising, increased bleeding episodes;
  • bleeding from a wound or where the medicine was injected;
  • fever, chills, drowsiness, and runny nose followed by skin rash and joint pain 2 weeks later; or
  • nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
  • mild nausea or stomach pain;
  • tingly or jittery feeling;
  • blurred vision;
  • headache; or
  • swelling, stinging, or irritation where the injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; feeling light-headed, fainting; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using recombinant antihemophilic factor and call your doctor at once if you have:
  • chest pain;
  • easy bruising, increased bleeding episodes; or
  • bleeding from a wound or where the medicine was injected.
Common side effects may include:
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
  • joint pain;
  • sore throat, cough, stuffy nose;
  • weakness, feeling tired;
  • fever; or
  • pain, swelling, itching, or irritation where the injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Antihemophilic Factor Interactions

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
There may be other drugs that can interact with human antihemophilic factor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other drugs may interact with recombinant antihemophilic factor, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Antihemophilic Factor Dosage

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Always check the strength of the medicine on the label to be sure you are using the correct potency.
Human antihemophilic factor is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Always wash your hands before preparing and giving your injection.
Human antihemophilic factor must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before injecting it. If you store your medicine in the refrigerator, take a medicine and diluent vial out of the refrigerator and allow each to reach room temperature before mixing them.
Gently swirl the medicine and diluent to mix them and allow the medicine to completely dissolve.
After mixing the medicine and diluent, the mixture should be kept at room temperature and must be used within 3 hours. Do not put mixed medicine into the refrigerator.
Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Each vial is for one use only. After measuring your dose, throw the vial away, even if there is medicine left in it.
Do not use this medicine if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Check your pulse before and during your injection. If your pulse becomes rapid, slow down or stop the injection until your pulse rate returns to normal.
Human antihemophilic factor is usually given every 8 to 24 hours for 1 to 4 days, depending on the reason you are using the medication. For surgery, you may need to use the medicine for 10 to 14 days.
To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Your body may develop antibodies to antihemophilic factor, making it less effective. Call your doctor if this medicine seems to be less effective in controlling your bleeding.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you have hemophilia. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder.
Store the medication and the diluent in the refrigerator and do not allow them to freeze.
You may also store the medicine and diluent at room temperature until the expiration date on the label. Some brands of this medicine (such as Koate-DVI and Monoclate) may be stored at room temperature for up to 6 months. Follow the storage directions on the medicine label.
Do not store this medicine in bright light. Throw away any leftover medicine and diluent if the expiration date has passed.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Always check the strength of the medicine on the label to be sure you are using the correct potency.
Recombinant antihemophilic factor is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
Recombinant antihemophilic factor is usually given every 8 to 24 hours for 1 to 4 days, depending on the reason you are using the medicine.
This medicine comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Always wash your hands before preparing and giving your injection.
Recombinant antihemophilic factor must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before injecting it. If you store your medicine in the refrigerator, take a medicine and diluent vial out of the refrigerator and allow each to reach room temperature before mixing them.
Gently swirl the medicine and diluent to mix them and allow the medicine to completely dissolve.
After mixing the medicine and diluent, the mixture should be kept at room temperature and must be used within 3 hours. Do not put mixed medicine into the refrigerator.
Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Each vial is for one use only. After measuring your dose, throw the vial away, even if there is medicine left in it.
Do not use recombinant antihemophilic factor if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.
Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
While using recombinant antihemophilic factor, you may need frequent blood tests.
Your body may develop antibodies to antihemophilic factor, making it less effective. Call your doctor if this medicine seems to be less effective in controlling your bleeding.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you have hemophilia. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder.
Store the medicine and the diluent in the refrigerator and do not allow them to freeze.
You may also store the medication and diluent at room temperature until the expiration date on the label. Some brands of this medicine can be stored at room temperature for only a certain number of months, or until the expiration date (whichever comes first). Follow the storage directions on the medicine label.
Do not store this medicine in bright light. Throw away any leftover medicine and diluent if the expiration date has passed.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Human antihemophilic factor is sometimes used only as needed, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Since recombinant antihemophilic factor is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.