General MedicinePrescription OnlyPregnancy Cat. Not classifiedFDA Yes
Hemlibra
EMICIZUMAB
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE HEMLIBRA is indicated for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients ages newborn and older with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency) with or without factor VIII inhibitors. HEMLIBRA is a bispecific factor IXa- and factor X-directed antibody indicated for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients ages newborn and older with hemophi...
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Brand names:Hemlibra
Quick Reference
Medicine ClassGeneral Medicine
FDA ApprovedYes
PregnancyCategory Not classified
Quick Facts
- Active ingredient
- EMICIZUMAB
- Medicine class
- General Medicine
- Brand names
- Hemlibra
- Availability
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Pregnancy category
- Not classified
- Half-life
- half-life was 1
- FDA approved
- Yes
What Is Hemlibra?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE HEMLIBRA is indicated for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients ages newborn and older with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency) with or without factor VIII inhibitors. HEMLIBRA is a bispecific factor IXa- and factor X-directed antibody indicated for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients ages newborn and older with hemophi...
Hemlibra (EMICIZUMAB) belongs to the General Medicine class of medications. It was first approved by the FDA in Yes. This medication requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Key Safety Information
- •Always follow the dose recommended by your healthcare professional. Taking more than prescribed increases the risk of side effects including serious complications.
- •Seek emergency care if you experience signs of an allergic reaction — hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or rash. Stop the medication and call your doctor immediately.
- •Some medications can increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, or any pre-existing health condition.
- •Avoid or limit alcohol while taking Hemlibra. Do not drink alcohol without first discussing it with your healthcare provider as it may increase adverse effects.
- •Take Hemlibra with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs. Stop use and talk to your doctor if you experience persistent stomach pain or GI symptoms.
- •Tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins you take. Some combinations significantly increase the risk of harm.
This is a summary only. Always read the full prescribing information and consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.
Uses & Indications
Hemlibra is prescribed for the following conditions. Some uses are FDA-approved indications; others may be evidence-based off-label uses. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE HEMLIBRA is indicated for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients ages newborn and older with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency) with or without factor VIII inhibitors.
HEMLIBRA is a bispecific factor IXa- and factor X-directed antibody indicated for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients ages newborn and older with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency) with or without factor VIII inhibitors.
Dosage Guide
The following are general dosing guidelines only. Your actual dose should be determined by your healthcare provider based on your condition, renal/hepatic function, and other medications.
AD
Adult Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended loading dose is 3 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection once weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of: 1.5 mg/kg once every week, or 3 mg/kg once every two weeks, or 6 mg/kg once every four weeks. ( 2.1 ) See Full Prescribing Information for important preparation and administration instructions. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage For subcutaneous use only. The recommended loading dose is 3 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection once weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of: 1.5 mg/kg once every week, or 3 mg/kg once every two weeks, or 6 mg/kg once every four weeks. The selection of a maintenance dose should be based on healthcare provider preference with consideration of regimens that may increase patient adherence. Discontinue the prophylactic use of bypassing agents the day before starting HEMLIBRA prophylaxis. The prophylactic use of factor VIII (FVIII) products may be continued during the first week of HEMLIBRA p
Available Forms
Available Strengths
Side Effects
Common
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Thrombotic Microangiopathy Associated with HEMLIBRA and aPCC [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Thromboembolism Associated with HEMLIBRA and aPCC [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 10%) are injection site reactions, headache, and arthralgia.
- ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
- 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
- The following adverse reactions are based on pooled data from two randomized trials in adult and adolescent patients (HAVEN 1 and HAVEN 3), one single-arm trial in adult and adolescent patients (HAVEN 4), one single-arm trial in pediatric patients (HAVEN 2), and one dose-finding trial, in which a total of 391 male patients with hemophilia A received at least one dose of HEMLIBRA as routine prophylaxis.
- Two hundred eighty-one patients (72%) were adults (18 years and older), 50 (13%) were adolescents (12 years up to less than 18 years), 55 (14%) were children (2 years up to less than 12 years), and five (1%) were infants (1 month up to less than 2 years).
- The median duration of exposure across the studies was 34.1 weeks (0.1 to 224.4 weeks).
- The most frequently reported adverse reactions observed in ≥ 10% of patients treated with HEMLIBRA were injection site reactions, headache, and arthralgia.
Serious
- 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Immunogenicity: Anti-emicizumab antibodies (including neutralizing antibodies) have developed in HEMLIBRA-treated patients.
- In case of clinical signs of loss of efficacy, promptly assess the etiology and consider a change in treatment if neutralizing antibodies are suspected.
- ( 5.3 , 12.6 , 14.3 ) Laboratory Coagulation Test Interference: HEMLIBRA interferes with activated clotting time (ACT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and coagulation laboratory tests based on aPTT, including one-stage aPTT-based single-factor assays, aPTT-based Activated Protein C Resistance (APC-R), and Bethesda assays (clotting-based) for factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor titers.
- Intrinsic pathway clotting-based laboratory tests should not be used.
- ( 5.4 , 7.2 ) 5.1 Thrombotic Microangiopathy Associated with HEMLIBRA and aPCC Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) were reported from clinical trials when on average a cumulative amount of >100 U/kg/24 hours of activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) was administered for 24 hours or more to patients receiving HEMLIBRA prophylaxis.
Rare
Medicine Interactions
Always inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about ALL medications you take, including prescriptions, OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
MajorModerateMinor
Warnings & Contraindications
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Immunogenicity: Anti-emicizumab antibodies (including neutralizing antibodies) have developed in HEMLIBRA-treated patients. In case of clinical signs of loss of efficacy, promptly assess the etiology and consider a change in treatment if neutralizing antibodies are suspected. ( 5.3 , 12.6 , 14.3 ) Laboratory Coagulation Test Interference: HEMLIBRA interferes with activat
How Hemlibra Works
12.1 Mechanism of Action HEMLIBRA bridges activated factor IX and factor X to restore the function of missing activated factor VIII that is needed for effective hemostasis.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Absorption Following subcutaneous administration, the mean (± SD) absorption half-life was 1
Half-Life
half-life was 1
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safety
Not classified
Breastfeeding
Many medications pass into breast milk in varying amounts. Before using Hemlibrawhile breastfeeding, discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider or pharmacist — they can weigh your dose, your infant's age, and available lactation safety data to find the safest option for you and your baby.
Storage & Handling
Storage and Handling Store HEMLIBRA vials in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original carton to protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not shake. Prior to administration, if needed, unopened vials of HEMLIBRA may be stored out of and then returned to refrigeration. The temperature
Frequently Asked Questions
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Complete adverse effect profile including common, serious, and rare reactions
Sources & References
- • FDA Prescribing Information — Official labeling and package insert for Hemlibra
- • U.S. National Library of Medicine — MedlinePlus drug information
- • American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) — Clinical pharmacology monograph
- • PubMed / MEDLINE — View clinical studies
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Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.