Advate

Generic name:antihemophilic factor (recombinant) [ ant-ee-hee-moe-FIL-ik-FAK-tor ]
Drug class:Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 28, 2022.

What is Advate?

Advate contains recombinant antihemophilic factor. Antihemophilic factor is a naturally occurring protein in the blood that helps blood to clot. A lack of antihemophilic factor VIII is the cause of hemophilia A.

Advate works by temporarily raising levels of factor VIII in the blood to aid in clotting.

Advate is used to treat or prevent bleeding episodes in adults and children with hemophilia A. It is also used to control bleeding related to surgery or dentistry in a person with hemophilia, and to prevent joint damage in people age 16 or older with severe hemophilia A and no prior joint damage.

Advate is not for use in people with von Willebrand disease.

Warnings

You should not use Advate if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor in the past.

Your body may develop antibodies to antihemophilic factor, making it less effective. Call your doctor if this medicine seems to be less effective in controlling your bleeding.

Carefully follow all instructions about how to store this medicine. Each brand of recombinant antihemophilic factor may have specific instructions about keeping the medicine in a refrigerator or at room temperature, and for only a certain number of months.

Before using Advate, your specific blood clotting disorder must be diagnosed as factor VIII deficiency. Human antihemophilic factor will not treat von Willebrand disease.

To be sure Advate is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you have hemophilia. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder.

Before using this medicine

You should not use Advate if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor, or if you are allergic to mouse or beef proteins.

Before using Advate, your specific blood clotting disorder must be diagnosed as factor VIII deficiency. Advate will not treat von Willebrand disease.

To make sure Advate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease.

It is not known whether Advate will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

It is not known whether recombinant antihemophilic factor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Advate?

Use Advate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Always check the strength of the medicine on the label to be sure you are using the c...