Emicizumab
About Emicizumab
Emicizumab is used to prevent or reduce bleeding episodes in individuals with haemophilia A. Haemophilia A is a genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or absence of clotting factor VIII that impairs blood clotting ability. It leads to prolonged bleeding episodes, often following injuries or surgeries, and can cause spontaneous internal bleeding.
Emicizumab contains Emicizumab, which works by replicating the function of factor VIII, a crucial protein for blood clotting. It connects activated factor IX and factor X, promoting effective clot formation in individuals with haemophilia A. This process helps prevent and minimize bleeding episodes, including in patients with factor VIII inhibitors.
The dose and duration of treatment with Emicizumab may vary depending on your medical condition. The common side effects of Emicizumab include redness, tenderness, warmth, or itching at the injection site, as well as joint pain and headache. Most of these side effects resolve gradually over time. However, consult the doctor if any of these persist or worsen.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy or breastfeeding before treatment with Emicizumab. Emicizumab is safe for children if prescribed by the doctor. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Emicizumab to prevent unpleasant side effects. Emicizumab may cause dizziness; therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery unless fully alert. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking and about your pre-existing health conditions.
Uses of Emicizumab
Medicinal Benefits
Emicizumab contains Emicizumab, which belongs to a group of medications called Monoclonal antibodies. It is used to prevent or reduce bleeding episodes in individuals with haemophilia A (a genetic bleeding disorder). Emicizumab replicates the function of factor VIII, a crucial protein for blood clotting. It connects activated factor IX and factor X, promoting effective clot formation in individuals with haemophilia A. This process helps prevent and minimize bleeding episodes, including in patients with factor VIII inhibitors.
Directions for Use
Check the detailed instructions that come with Emicizumab on how to prepare and inject a dose of Emicizumab. Use it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is to be injected under the skin by yourself or a caregiver after proper training. Your healthcare provider will adjust the dose based on your weight, so inform them if you have any weight changes. Do not use more or less than prescribed by a doctor.
Storage
Side Effects of Emicizumab
- Redness, tenderness, warmth, or itching at the injection site
- Joint pain
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you are using factor VIII or a bypassing agent, as these may increase the risk of blood clots, particularly when combined with activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC). You may need to stop using bypassing agents or adjust their dosage as instructed by your doctor. Also, inform your doctor about any pre-existing medical conditions and all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Limited information available. However, inform your doctor if you take other prescriptions, OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products.
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions were found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: No interactions were found.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThe interaction of alcohol with Emicizumab is unknown. If you have any concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; your doctor will administer Emicizumab only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Also, women who are capable of becoming pregnant must use effective contraception during and for a minimum of 6 months after stopping treatment with Emicizumab.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown if Emicizumab passes into breast milk. Therefore, please inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor decides based on the benefits and risks of Emicizumab to the mother and baby.
Driving
safe if prescribedEmicizumab usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
Liver
consult your doctorPlease inform your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease before receiving Emicizumab.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease inform your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease before receiving Emicizumab.
Children
safe if prescribedEmicizumab is safe for children if prescribed by a doctor. The dose and duration may vary depending on the child’s weight and the severity of the child's medical condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a well-balanced diet by including plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to support overall health and maintain a healthy weight, which benefits joint health.
- Stay active by choosing safe exercises to strengthen muscles and joints. This can help reduce the risk of bleeding. Consult a doctor or physical therapist for guidance.
- Avoid risky activities by avoiding participating in sports or activities with a high risk of injury or bleeding.
- Avoid alcohol as it may harm liver function and affect blood clotting.
Special Advise
Before undergoing lab tests, inform your doctor and lab technician that you are on treatment with Emicizumab. This may cause a false reading for a test that measures how well your blood is clotting.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hemophilia A: Hemophilia A is a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency or absence of factor VIII, a protein essential for blood clotting, resulting in difficulty forming blood clots and an increased risk of prolonged bleeding. This condition is commonly treated with clotting factor replacement therapy.
FAQs
Emicizumab belongs to the group of medications called Monoclonal antibodies used to prevent or reduce bleeding episodes in individuals with haemophilia A, a genetic bleeding disorder caused by a clotting factor VIII deficiency.
Emicizumab contains Emicizumab. It replicates the function of factor VIII, a crucial protein for blood clotting. It connects activated factor IX and factor X, promoting effective clot formation in individuals with hemophilia A. This process helps prevent and minimize bleeding episodes, including in patients with factor VIII inhibitors.
If you use Emicizumab with a bypassing agent and if you experience confusion, weakness, vomiting, stomach or back pain, less urination, chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing blood, fast heartbeat, swelling or redness in your arms or legs, eye pain, or vision issues, contact your doctor immediately.
Emicizumab may cause common side effects like redness, tenderness, warmth, or itching at the injection site, joint pain, and headache. However, please consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
