Von Willebrand Factor, Infusion

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV injection to treat and control bleeding in people with von Willebrand disease.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihemophilic; coagulation factor

Generic and brand names: von Willebrand factor; Vonvendi

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a clotting factor. It is used to treat and control bleeding in people with von Willebrand disease. It may be used with a recombinant factor VIII as instructed by your healthcare provider.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine, to hamster or mouse proteins
• A stroke or heart attack
• Blood clots

Also, tell your provider if you have ever been told that you have antibodies or inhibitors to von Willebrand factor or to blood coagulation factor VIII.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). These infusions may be given by your healthcare provider. You may be able to infuse this medicine yourself or with the help of someone at home. Your healthcare provider or a hemophilia center can teach you the proper way to give the infusions.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much medicine to use based on your weight, the severity of your von Willebrand disease, and where you are bleeding. Be sure you know when to take the medicine and how much medicine you should use.

This medicine must be mixed before using. Carefully follow the instructions included in the medicine package for mixing and using this medicine. If you are not sure how to mix or use this medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

If recombinant factor VIII is also needed, carefully follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for when to take the medicine and how much medicine you should use.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

If your bleeding is not controlled after you receive this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Your body may make antibodies that prevent this medicine from working. Tell your healthcare provider if this medicine does not seem to be working as well as usual.

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Your provider will also check to see if you develop antibodies. Keep all appointments.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. Wear some form of identification stating that you take this medicine (such as a Medic Alert bracelet).

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling, especially on one side of your body; sudden or severe headache; sudden trouble with vision, speech, balance, or walking

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; coughing up blood; unexplained cough or shortness of breath; feeling lightheaded or dizzy when you stand; redness, warmth, pain, or swelling in your arms or legs.

Other: Itching, tingling or burning at the infusion spot, change in sense of taste, hot flashes, nausea, muscle twitching.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How do I store this medicine?

Store the medicine in the original box in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Once the medicine is kept at room temperature, it should remain so until infused. Do not put it back in the refrigerator. Carefully follow package instructions for how long to keep the medicine at room temperature. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date printed on the vial, or for more than 12 months after you remove it from the refrigerator. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

Once you mix the medicine with the supplied sterile water, you may store the mixture at room temperature for up to 3 hours. Discard the mixture after 3 hours.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.