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Emicizumab

Generic name: emicizumab [ EM-a-SIZ-ue-mab ]
Brand names: Hemlibra, Hemlibra 105 mg/0.7 mL, Hemlibra 60 mg/0.4 mL, Hemlibra 12 mg/0.4 mL
Dosage form: subcutaneous solution (kxwh 150 mg/mL; kxwh 30 mg/mL)
Drug class: Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Nov 2, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is emicizumab?

Emicizumab functions in place of a natural blood-clotting factor that is missing in people with hemophilia A. Emicizumab works as a "bridge" between other clotting factors to replace missing factor VIII.

Emicizumab is for adults and children with hemophilia A, with or without factor VIII inhibitors. Emicizumab is used to help prevent bleeding episodes or make them occur less often.

Emicizumab will not stop a bleeding episode that has already begun.

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

Emicizumab side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If you also use a bypassing agent, call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects:

Common side effects of emicizumab may include:

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.

Emicizumab side effects (more detail)

Warnings

Emicizumab can cause unwanted blood clots when used together with a bypassing agent such as FEIBA. This can damage small blood vessels in your arms and legs, brain, kidneys, lungs, or other organs.

Tell your doctor if you use a bypassing agent or factor VIII. You will most likely need to stop using it the day before you begin using emicizumab.

If you use emicizumab and a bypassing agent together, call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms: weakness, confusion, stomach or back pain, vomiting, decreased urination, chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, swelling or redness in your arms or legs, eye pain, or vision problems.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use emicizumab if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you use factor VIII or a bypassing agent such as FEIBA (or "aPCC"; activated prothrombin complex concentrate). Emicizumab can cause unwanted blood clots when used together with aPCC. These blood clots can damage small blood vessels in your arms and legs, brain, kidneys, lungs, or other organs.

You will most likely need to stop using bypassing agents the day before you begin using emicizumab. But you may keep using factor VIII for the first week of using emicizumab.

if your doctor tells you to keep using a bypassing agent, you may need to limit your emicizumab dose to more than 100 units/kilogram per 24 hours. Follow all instructions carefully.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using emicizumab if you are pregnant. It is not known whether emicizumab will harm an unborn baby. Control of bleeding episodes is very important during pregnancy. The benefit of preventing these episodes may outweigh any risks to the baby.

If you are not pregnant, use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine.

It is not known whether emicizumab passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How is emicizumab given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Emicizumab is injected under the skin every 1 to 4 weeks. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

You will need a syringe and needle to draw emicizumab out of the vial (bottle). You will need a separate needle to inject the medicine into your skin. Use only the type of syringe and needles recommended by your pharmacist to inject emicizumab.

Do not shake the medication bottle. Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give an injection. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Do not allow a child younger than 7 years old to self-inject this medicine without help from an adult.

Emicizumab can interfere with certain blood-clotting tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using emicizumab.

Store this medicine in the original carton in a refrigerator. Protect from light and do not freeze.

You may store an unopened vial (bottle) at room temperature for a short time. If not used within 7 days, return the vial to the refrigerator.

Once you open and puncture the vial, use the medicine right away. Do not save it for later use. Throw away the vial after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Emicizumab dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hemophilia A with Inhibitors:

Loading dose: 3 mg/kg subcutaneously once a week for the first 4 weeks

Maintenance dose: 1.5 mg/kg subcutaneously once a week, or 3 mg/kg subcutaneously once every two weeks, or 6 mg/kg subcutaneously once every four weeks

Comments:
-Discontinue prophylactic use of bypassing agents the day before starting this drug; prophylactic use of factor VIII (FVIII) products may be continued during the first week of prophylaxis with this drug.
-Maintenance dose selection should be based on provider preference with consideration given to patient adherence.

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

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hemophilia A with Inhibitors:

Newborn or Older:
Loading dose: 3 mg/kg subcutaneously once a week for the first 4 weeks

Maintenance dose: 1.5 mg/kg subcutaneously once a week, or 3 mg/kg subcutaneously once every two weeks, or 6 mg/kg subcutaneously once every four weeks

Comments:
-Discontinue prophylactic use of bypassing agents the day before starting this drug; prophylactic use of factor VIII (FVIII) products may be continued during the first week of prophylaxis with this drug.
-Maintenance dose selection should be based on provider preference with consideration given to patient adherence.

Use: Routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in newborn or older pediatric patients with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency) with factor VIII inhibitors.

Detailed Emicizumab dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then go back to your usual once-weekly schedule and use the next dose on your regular injection day. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using emicizumab?

Avoid injecting emicizumab into a mole or into skin that is scarred, bruised, red, tender, hard, or broken.

What other drugs will affect emicizumab?

Other drugs may affect emicizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Emicizumab drug interactions (more detail)

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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