This medication is used to prevent or control bleeding
in people with little or no factor IX (due to hemophilia B, Christmas
disease). Factor IX is a protein (clotting factor) in the blood that works
with other clotting factors to help the blood clot and stop bleeding.
People with little or no factor IX are at risk for bleeding longer after an
injury/surgery or bleeding suddenly (often in the joints/muscle) without an
obvious cause.
This medication should not be used to reverse the
effects of "blood thinners" (such as warfarin). Most types of this
medication should not be used to treat other types of factor deficiencies
(such as factors II, VII, VIII, X) or factor problems (such as inhibitor to
factor XIII). If you are using this medication for one of these conditions,
consult your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that you are using the right
product.
This medication is given by injection into a vein as
directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition (such as
the amount and location of bleeding), weight, and response to
treatment.
Gently swirl the medication to mix. Do not shake. Some
forms of this medication must be completely mixed into the liquid so that
the liquid contains no particles. In these cases, do not use the liquid if
it contains particles. Other forms of this medication may occasionally
contain a few small particles in the vial, even if the medication is mixed
correctly. In these cases, the particles will not affect how well the
medication works and will be removed by the filter. If you have questions
about whether your form of this medication may be used if it contains
particles, or if you have other questions about the use of this medication,
consult the doctor or pharmacist.
If you are giving this medication to yourself at home,
learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care
professional. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies
safely.
The medication in the vial and the supplies that come
with the medication should be used only once. Do not reuse.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets
worse.
Pain at injection site, chills, tingling, flushing,
headache, nausea, or vomiting may occur. If any of these effects last or
get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- swelling at injection site
- fast heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine)
- swelling of the ankles/feet
- pain/redness/swelling of arms or legs
- new or increased bleeding/bruising
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- chest pain
- trouble breathing
- bluish fingers
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before using factor IX, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to factor IX products; or if you have any other
allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause
allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- other clotting disorders (such as disseminated intravascular
coagulation-DIC)
- heart disease (such as coronary artery disease)
- immune system problems
- recent surgery/procedure
- liver disease
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This medication is made from human blood. Even though
the blood is carefully tested, and this medication goes through a special
manufacturing process, there is an extremely small chance that you may get
infections from the medication (for example, viruses such as hepatitis).
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
- drugs that help with clotting (such as aminocaproic acid,
tranexamic acid)
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as factor IX activity)
should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and
lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
It is important to get each dose of this medication as
scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for
a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for
storage details. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).