Alphanate

Generic name: Antihemophilic And Von Willebrand Factor Complex
Drug class: Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers

Usage of Alphanate

Antihemophilic and von Willebrand factors are naturally occurring proteins in the blood that help the blood to clot.

A lack of antihemophilic factor VIII is the cause of hemophilia A. A lack of von Willebrand factor is the cause of von Willebrand disease. Alphanate works by temporarily raising levels of factor VIII or von Willebrand factor in the blood to aid in clotting.

Alphanate is a combination medicine used to treat or prevent bleeding episodes in people with von Willebrand disease.

Alphanate is also used to treat or prevent bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A.

Alphanate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Alphanate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest tightness, wheezing, difficult breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Alphanate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

hot flashes when the injection is given;

sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

sudden cough, coughing up blood;

pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;

pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

bleeding from a wound or where the medicine was injected; or

bleeding that is not controlled.

Common side effects of Alphanate may include:

nosebleeds;

rash or itching;

numbness or tingling;

headache, dizziness; or

back pain.

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.

Before taking Alphanate

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor.

To make sure you can safely use this medication, tell your doctor if you have ever had a stroke or a blood clot.

Your doctor may want you to receive a hepatitis vaccination before you start using Alphanate.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether antihemophilic and von Willebrand factor complex passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Alphanate 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.

Relate drugs

How to use Alphanate

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use Alphanate 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.

Alphanate is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Always wash your hands before preparing and giving your injection.

Alphanate is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

After mixing the medicine with a diluent, store at room temperature and use it within 3 hours. Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Do not shake the mixed medicine. Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. A single-use vial is for one use only. After measuring your dose, throw this vial away, even if there is medicine left in it.

Do not use Alphanate if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

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 this medicine, 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.

Carefully follow all instructions about how to store this medicine. Each brand of antihemophilic and von Willebrand factor complex may have specific storage instructions.

Store the medicine and diluent at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Throw away any medicine not used before the expiration date on the medicine label.

The Wilate brand of this medicine should be stored in the original container in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Before preparing your dose, take these items of the refrigerator and allow them to reach room temperature.

If you store this medicine at room temperature, do not return it to the refrigerator.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you have hemophilia or von Willebrand disease. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder.

Warnings

You should not use this medication if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor in the past.

Your body may develop antibodies to antihemophilic factor, making it less effective. Call your doctor if Alphanate seems to be less effective in controlling your bleeding.

Carefully follow all instructions about how to store this medicine. Each brand of antihemophilic and von Willebrand factor complex may have specific storage instructions.

What other drugs will affect Alphanate

Other drugs may interact with Alphanate, 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.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.