Community StoriesEric and Elizabeth P. in Coleman, WI
Our son Bruce is almost five years old and has severe hemophilia A. You would never know it, watching him play. He never stops running. After he eats breakfast he will go outside to play and will not come in until I call him for lunch. Outside he likes to race his trucks around the yard, dig in the dirt, ride his bike, and just run all over.a In the winter he likes to shovel snow and in the summer he likes to help in the garden.a
We chose ADVATE for him, not because it was highly recommended by our treatment center or is a safe product, but because we know it works for him.4,6,11
b There have been no confirmed reports of viral transmissions with recombinant factor VIII therapies.
When our son has a bleed we can see the pain and discomfort in his face; after a treatment of ADVATE, he has a look of relief on his face. We also like ADVATE because it is easy to mix.4,b Bruce loves to set up for his infusions and mix his medicine. It helps make infusion time fun and he enjoys it. At his young age he can basically do his own infusion, except poke his vein.c ADVATE helps Bruce be the active little boy he is, and we do not have to worry as much about his hemophilia.
Eric and Elizabeth P. Coleman, WI
a Not all activities are appropriate for all people. Consult with your physician or healthcare professional to determine which activities are appropriate for you and what safety precautions to take when participating in a particular sport or exercise regimen.
b As compared to the original BAXJECT device and needles.
c You should be trained on how to do infusions by your hemophilia treatment center or your doctor.
ADVATE [Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), Plasma/Albumin-Free Method] is a medicine used to replace clotting factor VIII that is missing in people with hemophilia A (also called “classic” hemophilia). ADVATE is used to prevent and control bleeding in people with hemophilia A. Your healthcare provider may give you ADVATE when you have surgery.
ADVATE is not used to treat von Willebrand Disease.
Detailed Important Risk Information for ADVATE
You should not use ADVATE if you are allergic to mice or hamsters or any ingredients in ADVATE.
You should tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any medical problems, take any medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines and dietary supplements, have any allergies, including allergies to mice or hamsters, are nursing, are pregnant, or have been told that you have inhibitors to factor VIII.
You can have an allergic reaction to ADVATE. Call your healthcare provider right away and stop treatment if you get a rash or hives, itching, tightness of the throat, chest pain or tightness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, or fainting.
Your body may form inhibitors to factor VIII. An inhibitor is part of the body’s normal defense system. If you form inhibitors, it may stop ADVATE from working properly. Consult with your healthcare provider to make sure you are carefully monitored with blood tests for the development of inhibitors to factor VIII.
Side effects that have been reported with ADVATE include: cough, sore throat, unusual taste, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, headache, fever, dizziness, hot flashes, chills, sweating, joint swelling/aching, itching, hematoma, swelling of legs, runny nose/congestion, and rash.
Call your healthcare provider right away about any side effects that bother you or if your bleeding does not stop after taking ADVATE.
Please see ADVATE full Prescribing Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
