How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
-
1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
-
2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma®
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
-
3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
-
4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma® Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
-
5. Nursing Care Coordination If Needed
AmeriPharma® puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
-
6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
What Is Afstyla, and What Is It Used For?
Afstyla, also known by its generic name, antihemophilic factor (recombinant), single-chain, is a recombinant product that contains a lab-made form of factor VIII protein.
This artificial form of factor VIII temporarily replaces the missing coagulation factor VIII and helps to clot blood and stop bleeding in patients with hemophilia A (a bleeding disorder that occurs due to a deficiency of clotting factor VIII protein). Hemophilia A is also known as congenital Factor VIII deficiency.
The drug is typically prescribed to adults and children with hemophilia A and is used under the following circumstances:
- To prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes (used as a prophylactic agent)
- To control active bleeds occurring due to accidental injury/trauma (used as an on-demand treatment)
- To prevent and manage spontaneous bleeds occurring during surgery (perioperative management).
It should be noted that recombinant Afstyla is not approved for use in treating von Willebrand disease.
How Does Afstyla Work and Help Patients With Hemophilia A?
Afstyla contains an active component, lonoctocog alfa, which is a short version of naturally occurring human clotting factor VIII.
The active component in Afstyla works like human factor VIII and becomes activated in the bloodstream when bleeding episodes occur. Once activated, it helps form a clot by working with other proteins in the blood to stop the bleeding.
Moreover, the single-chain structure of the drug is a unique feature that allows it to bind more tightly to the von Willebrand factor (VWF). This protein stabilizes factor VIII in the blood for a long period.
Hence, by binding to VWF, Afstyla does not break down quickly, stays active longer, and works more effectively than traditional blood clotting factor VIII drugs.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma® Specialty Pharmacy alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
-
Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
-
One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
-
Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
What Is the Standard Dose of Afstyla for Hemophilia A Patients?
The standard dosage and frequency of Afstyla are determined based on the severity of factor VIII deficiency, the extent, location, type of bleeding, patient’s clinical condition, and body weight (kg).
1. Dosage for Routine Prophylaxis
The recommended dosing range of this hemophilia medication for adults and children (≥12 years of age) is 20 to 50 IU per kg of Afstyla, which should be given 2 to 3 times a week.
For children under age 12, a dose of 30 to 50 IU per kg is administered 2 to 3 times a week.
2. Dosage for On-Demand Treatment and Control of Bleeding Episodes
For on-demand treatment, Afstyla is given to maintain the factor VIII activity levels within the target range:
- For minor bleeding (e.g., joint bleeds, minor muscle bleeds, or oral bleeding), Afstyla is administered every 12 to 24 hours to achieve FVIII levels of 20 to 40 IU/dL until the bleeding stops.
- In cases of moderate bleeding (e.g., muscle and joint bleeds or mild trauma), the medication is administered every 12 to 24 hours to keep FVIII activity levels between 30 to 60 IU/dL until the issue is resolved.
- For severe or potentially fatal bleeding (e.g., deep muscle and brain hemorrhages, fractures, or head trauma), therapy is administered every 8 to 24 hours to reach FVIII levels of 60 to 100 IU/dL until the bleeding stops.
3. Dosage for Perioperative Management of Bleeding
During minor and major surgical procedures, Afstyla is used to maintain the FVIII activity levels at or above the target range, which are as follows:
- During minor surgical procedures (e.g., tooth extraction), to keep FVIII activity levels between 30 and 60 IU/dL, the drug is administered every 24 hours for at least a day until healing is complete.
- During major surgical procedures (e.g., hip replacement surgery or brain surgery), to keep FVIII activity levels between 80 and 100 IU/dL, the drug is administered every 8 to 24 hours until recovery is complete. The treatment should be administered for at least another 7 days to keep FVIII activity levels between 30 and 60 IU/dL.
Afstyla Side Effects
Afstyla has fewer side effects compared to other available factor VIII medications.
The drug’s safety profile was evaluated in one of the largest FVIII clinical trial programs, including 258 hemophilia A participants. Approximately 14 out of 258 reported the following side effects during clinical trials:
- Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions (seen in up to 1 in 10 people)
- Dizziness (seen in 0.8% of people)
These side effects are temporary and subside after taking medications prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Complete this form to save up to 100%!
By submitting, you agree to AmeriPharma’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Notice of Privacy Practices