Antihemophilic factor (Injection)

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicines that prevent blood clots, such as aspirin. Patients who have hemophilia should not take aspirin because it may increase bleeding.
• Do not mix any other medicine with the AHF solution unless directed by your doctor.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• AHF may be taken from donated human blood that has been tested for viruses and treated to keep from spreading infections. The risk of getting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS) or hepatitis from this medicine is very low, but cannot be completely eliminated. As a precaution, you should receive a hepatitis A or B vaccine. AHF products that are not taken from human blood are also available. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blurred vision.
• Dark-colored urine.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Nervousness.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• Tingling in the arm, ear, and face.
• Tiredness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Brand Name(s)

Monoclate-P, Koate-DVI, Hemofil M, Recombinate, Kogenate FS, Kogenate FS with BIO-SET, Helixate FS, Refacto, Advate, Xyntha

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• Try not to miss a dose. If possible, have other family members trained to give your treatment in case you cannot give it to yourself.
• If you do miss a dose, ask your doctor or home health caregiver for instructions.

Introduction

Antihemophilic Factor (an-tee-hee-moe-FIL-ik FAK-tor)

Prevents and controls bleeding in patients with hemophilia A, a disorder in which blood does not form clots normally. This medicine is also called AHF or factor VIII.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.This medicine may also be stored at room temperature for up to 6 months. Do not use this medicine after the expiration date.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.