On World Hemophilia Day (April 17), the global bleeding disorders community unites to raise awareness and understanding of hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder that impacts more than 30,000 Americans. This year’s theme is “Access for All: Prevention of bleeds as the global standard of care,” with a call-to-action to expand access to treatments that emphasize bleeding control and prevention and improve the quality of life for people with hemophilia.
Hemophilia A is a rare, lifelong condition in which a person’s blood does not clot properly due to a missing or defective factor VIII clotting protein. While hemophilia mainly impacts men, it can also affect females.
People living with hemophilia A can experience bleeding episodes during everyday activities, which can cause chronic pain and irreversible joint damage, and may impact their quality of life.
The severity of hemophilia is determined by “factor activity levels,” or the amount of clotting factor in the blood. People with lower factor activity levels have a greater risk of bleeds, while those with higher factor activity levels have better protection.
Recently, the FDA approved ALTUVIIIO™ [antihemophilic factor (recombinant), Fc-VWF-XTEN fusion protein-ehtl], a new class of factor VIII replacement therapy for people with hemophilia A that delivers normal to near-normal factor activity levels (over 40%) for most of the week. As the first and only high-sustained factor VIII replacement therapy, it provides significant bleed protection with one weekly dose. The approval of this innovative treatment can empower patients and physicians to elevate treatment expectations.
Dr. Johnathan Roberts, Associate Medical Director from The Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute in Illinois and hemophilia A patient, to discuss the importance of maintaining factor activity levels and this new treatment for hemophilia A.
Interview is courtesy of Sanofi.
INDICATION
ALTUVIIIO™ [antihemophilic factor (recombinant), Fc-VWF-XTEN fusion protein-ehtl] is an injectable medicine that is used to control and reduce the number of bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A (congenital Factor VIII deficiency).
Your healthcare provider may give you ALTUVIIIO when you have surgery.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I need to know about ALTUVIIIO?
Do not attempt to give yourself an injection unless you have been taught how by your healthcare provider or hemophilia center. You must carefully follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding the dose and schedule for injecting ALTUVIIIO so that your treatment will work best for you.
Who should not use ALTUVIIIO?
You should not use ALTUVIIIO if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ALTUVIIIO?
Tell your healthcare provider if you have had any medical problems, take any medications, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements, or herbal medicines, are breastfeeding, or are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
What are the possible side effects of ALTUVIIIO?
You can have an allergic reaction to ALTUVIIIO. Call your healthcare provider or emergency department right away if you have any of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the face, rash, or hives.
Your body can also make antibodies called “inhibitors” against ALTUVIIIO. This can stop ALTUVIIIO from working properly. Your healthcare provider may give you blood tests to check for inhibitors.
The common side effects of ALTUVIIIO are headache, joint pain, and back pain.
These are not the only possible side effects of ALTUVIIIO. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
Interview is courtesy of Sanofi
