Hemlibra

Product Information:

Hemlibra is a monoclonal antibody replacement therapy for a missing blood clotting factor in people with hemophilia A. Emicizumab is a bridge for other factor clotting in people with hemophilia A with missing factor VIII.

Hemlibra is an indication for adults and children with Hemophilia A with or without Factor VIII inhibitors. Hemlibra can be used to treat another indication concerning helping in preventing bleeds or making them less recurrent.

Hemlibra will not have any effect on an actual bleeding event.

How is Hemlibra administered?

Use Hemlibra exactly as your doctor tells you to. Follow all directions given in your prescription. Your doctor may need to adjust your treatment sometimes. Do not take this medication in higher or lower doses or for a different time period than recommended.

Hemlibra can be injected under your skin every 1 to 4 weeks. A healthcare professional can show you how to give this medication by yourself.

Do not shake the bottle of medicine. Make your doses when you are ready to give an injection. Do not use if the medicine is a different color or if you see any particles in it. 

Do not let a child under 7 years old give this medication to themselves without assistance from an adult.

Store this medicine in the packaging provided in a refrigerator. Keep it protected from light and do not freeze.

Store an uncovered vial (bottle) at room temperature for a short period. If not used, store the vial in the refrigerator after 7 days.

Dosing information:

Usual Adult Dose for Hemophilia A with Inhibitors:

3 mg/kg SC once a week for 4 weeks, followed by 1.5 mg/kg SC once a week.

Use: Routine prophylaxis for prevention or reduction of bleeding episodes in hemophilia.  A patients with congenital factor VIII deficiency and factor VIII inhibitors.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hemophilia A with Inhibitors:
3 mg/kg subcutaneously per week for the first 4 weeks, and 1.5 mg/kg per week.

Use:

Routine prophylaxis in children with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency) with factor VIII inhibitors to prevent or reduce frequency of bleeding episodes.

Warnings:

Hemlibra can cause an excessive blood clot when given with a bypassing agent such as FEIBA. This can affect small blood vessels in your hands and feet, head, kidneys, lungs, or other parts of your body.

Tell your doctor if you are using a bypassing agent or factor VIII. You will probably need to stop using these products one day before you start using Hemlibra.

Hemlibra side effects:

If you are using a bypassing agent, you should call your healthcare provider immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

headache, weakness, confusion;

feeling light-headed or abnormally ill;

Back pain, Little or no urination;

stomach pain, vomiting;

chest pain,

shortness of breath,

coughing up blood.

swelling or redness in your arms and/or legs;

eye pain or swelling,

vision problems;

numbness in your face;

or discoloration of your skin or eyes.