Products
Octocog alfa is commercially available as an injectable. It has been approved in many countries since 2004.
Structure and properties
Octocog alfa is the recombinant blood clotting factor VIII produced by biotechnological methods. In the past, it was also obtained from plasma, but this posed a risk for the transmission of infectious diseases. Octocog alfa is a glycoprotein with 2332 amino acids and a molecular weight of 280 kDa.
Effects
Octocog alfa (ATC B02BD02) replaces the missing or insufficient blood clotting factor VIII in the blood, allowing normal blood clotting. This prevents bleeding.
Indications
For the treatment and prevention of bleeding in patients with pretreated hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency).
Dosage
According to the SmPC. The drug is administered as an intravenous injection.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
For complete precautions, see the drug label.
Interactions
Interactions with other drugs are not known.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects observed in clinical trials include fever, headache, dizziness, and the formation of antibodies to factor VIII, which may reverse the effects of the drug. Hypersensitivity reactions are possible.
