Advate (Octocog Alfa)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Advate Used For?
Advate contains octocog alfa, a man-made copy of human blood clotting factor VIII. It’s specifically designed to help people with congenital haemophilia A, an inherited bleeding disorder caused by a lack of factor VIII in the blood.
Primary Uses
Advate is used in patients of all age groups with haemophilia A to: control and prevent bleeding episodes, routinely prevent and reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes, and prevent or reduce bleeding before, during and after surgery.
How It Works
Blood clotting factor VIII is essential for blood to form clots and stop bleeding. Patients with congenital haemophilia A are born with low levels of factor VIII. Advate works similarly to human blood clotting factor VIII by replenishing factor VIII levels, allowing blood to form clots at bleeding sites.
Good to know: This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it. Advate does not contain von Willebrand factor and is not suitable for treating von Willebrand’s disease.
How to Take Advate
Advate is given as a slow injection directly into your vein. Treatment will be started in a hospital or Haemophilia Treatment Centre under medical supervision. Some patients and caregivers may be trained for home use.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide your dose based on your body weight, how much factor VIII your body makes, bleeding severity and location, whether you’ve developed antibodies to Advate, and whether you’re preventing or treating bleeding. The powder must be mixed with the supplied diluent before injection. Use the solution immediately after mixing, or within 3 hours if stored at room temperature.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Do not inject a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your doctor or Haemophilia Treatment Centre and continue your next injection as directed.
Important: Never attempt to inject Advate at home unless you have received proper training from your doctor or Haemophilia Treatment Centre. Always use only the reconstitution device provided with each pack.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Factor VIII inhibitors (very common in patients being treated with factor VIII medicines for the first time)
- Headache
- Fever
- Flu
- Sore throat
- Tender red streaks on skin toward lymph glands
- Dizziness
- Unusual taste in mouth
- Forgetfulness
- Migraine
- Fainting
- Tremor
- Eye inflammation
- Fast or irregular heartbeats
- Bruise
- Hot flushes
- Looking pale
- Shortness of breath
- Upper abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Increased or excessive sweating
- Itching, rash or hives
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Chills
- Feeling abnormal
- Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
- Injection site reactions
- Bleeding or bruising around injection site
- Abnormal blood test results
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden or severe allergic reaction which may progress to anaphylaxis including shock
- Rash, hives, wheals, or generalized itching
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or any parts of the body
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing
- Tightness or discomfort in chest, chest pain
- Dizziness and fainting from allergic reaction
Important Warnings
Before using Advate, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current health status with your doctor to ensure safe treatment.
Who Should Not Take Advate
Do not use Advate if you have ever had sudden, severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions to octocog alfa, any ingredients in Advate, or to mouse or hamster proteins.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have been previously treated with factor VIII products, previously developed inhibitors to factor VIII products, have or have had any medical conditions, or have had or are at risk of heart problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
There is no information on using Advate during pregnancy. It’s unknown if Advate passes into breast milk. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Currently, there are no known interactions of Advate with other medicines. However, it’s important to keep your healthcare team informed about all medications you’re taking.
Alcohol & Driving
Advate is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines, but you should be cautious until you know how the medication affects you personally.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned for Advate. However, discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor as part of your overall treatment plan.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Advate affects you. The medication is not expected to influence your ability to drive and use machines.
Storage
Keep Advate in the original pack to protect from light. Store in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C – do not freeze. If necessary, you can keep Advate out of the refrigerator for a single 6-month period when stored in original packaging in a cool, dry place at room temperature (below 25°C). Record the date removed from refrigeration on the carton. Do not return to refrigerator after room temperature storage. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Advate, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact your doctor or Haemophilia Treatment Centre, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, or call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand). Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually, replacement therapy with Advate is a life-long treatment. Your symptoms may worsen if you stop treatment. Continue using Advate for as long as your doctor tells you.
Some patients and caregivers may be trained to use Advate at home, but only after proper training by your doctor or Haemophilia Treatment Centre. Never attempt to inject Advate yourself without this training.
Tell your doctor or Haemophilia Treatment Centre immediately if your bleeding is not controlled or worsens after using Advate. This could indicate that your body has developed inhibitors to the medication.
Advate powder must be mixed with the supplied diluent using the reconstitution device provided. Use the solution immediately after mixing, or within 3 hours if stored at room temperature. Never mix with other medicines or solvents.
Factor VIII inhibitors are blocking antibodies that can work against Advate and reduce its effectiveness. This risk is very common in patients who haven’t been previously treated with factor VIII medicines. Signs include easy bruising, persistent bleeding, or joint swelling and pain.
Advate must be kept refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C, but can be stored at room temperature (below 25°C) for up to 6 months if needed. Record the date it’s removed from refrigeration and don’t return it to the refrigerator afterward.
Stop the injection immediately if you experience signs of severe allergic reaction like rash, swelling, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Call your doctor or go to the Emergency Department right away.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.