Hemlibra dosage

Below is information about Hemlibra’s form, strengths, and dosages.

Hemlibra form

Hemlibra comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you injections at their office and may train you or a caregiver to administer the injection at home.

Hemlibra strengths

Hemlibra comes in the following strengths measured in milligrams per milliliter of solution (mg/mL):

• 12 mg/0.4 mL
• 30 mg/mL
• 60 mg/0.4 mL
• 105 mg/0.7 mL
• 150 mg/mL
• 300 mg/2 mL

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for hemophilia A

Doctors may prescribe Hemlibra to help prevent or reduce the number of bleeding episodes with hemophilia A.

If your doctor prescribes Hemlibra for you, they’ll start with a loading dose. A loading dose is a higher dose that’s given at the start of treatment to quickly build up the amount of drug in your body. The typical loading dose for Hemlibra is based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). Your Hemlibra loading dose will likely be 3 milligrams per kilogram (3 mg/kg). You’ll receive this as a subcutaneous injection once per week for the first 4 weeks of treatment.

For example, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your loading dose will be 210 mg. And you’ll receive this dosage once per week for 4 weeks.

After 4 weeks, your doctor will prescribe one of the following maintenance doses for you:

• 1.5 mg/kg once every week
• 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks
• 6 mg/kg once every 4 weeks

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Hemlibra is approved to prevent or reduce the number of bleeding episodes due to hemophilia A in children of all ages. The dosage is the same as the dosage for adults. See “Dosage for hemophilia A” just above.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Hemlibra is meant to be used as a long-term treatment to prevent or reduce the number of bleeding episodes due to hemophilia A. If you and your doctor determine that Hemlibra is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Before you start using Hemlibra, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Hemlibra dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

• your body weight
• how your body responds to Hemlibra
• other hemophilia A treatments you may receive
• other medical conditions you may have

Hemlibra comes as a solution in a single-dose vial. It’s given as a subcutaneous injection.

With a subcutaneous injection, you’ll inject the medication under your skin. You’ll use a syringe to give yourself Hemlibra. Your doctor will administer your first dose. Then, they’ll show you (or your caregiver) how to do it. Make sure to inject Hemlibra according to your doctor’s instructions.

You’ll store Hemlibra vials in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

You can self-inject Hemlibra into your abdomen or on the top of your thigh. If a caregiver administers your dose, they can inject Hemlibra into your upper arm. If you use your abdomen, do not inject Hemlibra within 2 inches of your belly button.

Be sure to choose a different injection site each time you inject Hemlibra. And avoid areas where your skin is tender, hard, or irritated. This will reduce your risk of injection-related side effects, such as bleeding or pain at the injection site.

If you have questions about how to use Hemlibra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful video and step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you miss a dose of Hemlibra on your scheduled day, inject it as soon as you remember before your next scheduled dose. Then continue with your usual schedule. Don’t inject two doses in one day to make up for the missed dose. If you’re not sure whether you should inject a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t inject more Hemlibra than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you use more than the recommended amount of Hemlibra

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Hemlibra. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Hemlibra.

How long does it take for Hemlibra to start working?

In clinical trials, less bleeding was reported within 6 months of starting Hemlibra. But it’s not known how quickly the effects of the drug were seen. It typically takes 4 weeks of treatment to reach a steady level of Hemlibra in your body.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Hemlibra treatment.

Is there a typical dosage range for Hemlibra?

Yes, both the loading dose and the typical recommended maintenance dose for Hemlibra are based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). You’ll start treatment with 3 milligrams per kg (3 mg/kg) once per week for 4 weeks. Then, your doctor will recommend one of the following maintenance dose options for you:

• 1.5 mg/kg once every week
• 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks
• 6 mg/kg once every 4 weeks

For more information about Hemlibra dosages, see the “Hemlibra dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Hemlibra for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Hemlibra without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Hemlibra that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Hemlibra. These additional articles might be helpful:

• More about Hemlibra: For information about other aspects of Hemlibra, refer to this article.
• Details about your condition: For details about hemophilia A, see this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.