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 Alphanate SD?
Alphanate is an FDA-approved human antihemophilic factor/von Willebrand factor complex used to control and prevent bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A. It is also used during surgical or invasive procedures in certain adults and children with von Willebrand disease.
The FDA initially approved Alphanate in 1978. It is made from the plasma of thousands of blood donors. Alphanate contains two important blood-clotting proteins:
- Factor VIII (FVIII): An essential protein needed for blood clotting.
- Von Willebrand Factor (VWF): This is a protein that helps platelets attach to damaged blood vessels and also carries and stabilizes factor VIII in the bloodstream.
The “SD” in “Alphanate SD” means solvent-detergent treatment. It is a manufacturing step used to reduce the risk of disease transmission in plasma-derived products.
Alphanate is available as a sterile, lyophilized powder that is mixed with sterile water before intravenous (IV) injection. It is available in several strengths, including 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 IU of factor VIII per vial.
What Is Alphanate Used For?
Alphanate is FDA-approved for the following purposes:
Treatment and Prevention of Bleeding in Hemophilia A: People with hemophilia A have a lack of a protein called factor VIII, which is necessary for blood clotting. Alphanate temporarily replaces factor VIII and helps people with hemophilia A form stable blood clots.
Surgical and Invasive Procedures in Hemophilia A: Alphanate can also be used to prevent and control bleeding before, during, and after surgery.
Surgical and Invasive Procedures in von Willebrand Disease: Alphanate can be used in adults and children with type 1 and type 2 von Willebrand disease (VWD) during surgery when desmopressin (DDAVP) is ineffective or cannot be used. However, Alphanate is not indicated for people with severe type 3 VWD undergoing major surgery.
Please note that Alphanate does not cure hemophilia A or von Willebrand disease. Instead, it temporarily replaces deficient clotting factors to help control or prevent bleeding.
How Does Alphanate SD Work?
To understand how Alphanate works, you first need to understand the role of factor VIII. When you bleed, your body activates a series of proteins known as clotting factors. Factor VIII participates in this process by working with activated factor IX to help activate factor X. This eventually leads to the formation of thrombin and fibrin, which strengthen the blood clot.
People with hemophilia A have insufficient or defective factor VIII. As a result, their blood takes much longer to form a clot. Alphanate contains human factor VIII, which temporarily increases the amount of factor VIII in the bloodstream. This helps your body form a stronger blood clot.
Alphanate also contains von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWF helps platelets attach to damaged blood vessels and also helps protect factor VIII from being broken down too quickly in the bloodstream.
By replacing these important proteins, Alphanate controls bleeding in people with hemophilia A and supports blood clotting during surgery in people with von Willebrand disease.
How Alphanate SD Copay Assistance Works
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
Dosing of Alphanate SD
Alphanate comes as a powder that’s mixed with sterile water before use and given by IV injection. The exact dose depends on several factors, such as body weight, the severity and location of the bleeding, factor VIII levels, the type of surgery, and how the person responds to treatment. Here are the usual recommended doses:
Hemophilia A: Your doctor will calculate your dose from your body weight and the factor VIII rise you need. Each IU of factor VIII per kg of body weight raises your factor VIII level by about 2% of normal. Minor bleeding may require lower doses, while major bleeding or surgery may require higher doses and a longer duration of treatment.
Your doctor will check your factor VIII levels and adjust the dose and frequency based on how you respond.
Von Willebrand Disease: For adults, the usual pre-operative dose is 60 IU VWF: RCo/kg, with 40 to 60 IU/kg every 8 to 12 hours afterward. For children, the dose is 75 IU/kg before the surgery, then 50 to 75 IU/kg every 8 to 12 hours. For a major surgery, you may need this for a week or more.
Please note that the dosage described here is the usual recommended dosage. Your doctor will set the exact dose and length of treatment for you.
Alphanate SD Side Effects
Common side effects include:
- Respiratory distress
- Back pain
- Headache
- Facial swelling
- Pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Itching and rash
- Fatigue
Severe side effects include:
Severe Allergic Reaction: Alphanate can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Get emergency help if you experience symptoms like hives, swelling, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Blood Clots: Blood clots (thrombosis) may occur with Alphanate, particularly in people with risk factors for thrombosis. Contact your doctor right away if you develop chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or pain and swelling in an arm or leg.
Intravascular Hemolysis: Very large doses of Alphanate can cause destruction of red blood cells inside your blood vessels. This can lead to anemia. If this happens, your doctor may discontinue Alphanate treatment.
Infections: Alphanate has a potential risk of transmitting infectious diseases because it is made from human plasma. Manufacturers take steps during production to reduce this risk, but they can’t eliminate it completely.
Development of Inhibitors: Some people who receive Alphanate can develop antibodies called inhibitors. These antibodies can reduce the effectiveness of factor VIII and make bleeding more difficult to control.
Please note that this is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any severe side effects of Alphanate SD.
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