Jivi for Hemophilia A: How It Works, Benefits, and Possible Side Effects

Bleeding disorders can significantly impact your day-to-day life. One such condition is bệnh máu khó đông A, which affects more than 400,000 males worldwide [1]. Hemophilia A is an X-linked condition, meaning males who carry the defective gene will become affected, whereas females with the affected gene are mildly affected, if at all.

Hemophilia A occurs when your blood doesn’t clot properly. As a result, people with hemophilia A experience frequent or prolonged bleeding episodes. If you do not treat it, it may lead to serious complications such as joint damage, chronic pain, and disability. In some cases, it can even cause death.

Fortunately, there are many medications to manage hemophilia A and reduce the risk of bleeding. One such medication is Jivi (damoctocog alfa pegol). In this article, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about Jivi, including its dosage, side effects, and much more.

What Is Jivi?

Jivi (damoctocog alfa pegol) is an FDA-approved medicine used to control or prevent bleeding episodes in patients with Hemophilia A. Hemophilia A is a genetic disorder caused by a lack of clotting factor VIII (a protein needed for normal blood clotting). 

Jivi is a man-made version of clotting factor VIII that is chemically modified to last longer in the body. It was developed by Bayer, and the FDA first approved it in August 2018 for use in children and adults with Hemophilia A [2]. 

You can get this medication through an IV infusion, and it is designed to give you longer protection compared to other factor VIII products.

What Is Jivi Used To Treat?

Jivi is a factor VIII replacement medicine. Factor VIII is a protein that is needed to clot blood properly. Jivi is used to treat people with hemophilia A, a condition where the body does not have enough factor VIII. 

Jivi can be used in adults and children aged 7 or older who have taken factor VIII replacement therapy before. It is FDA-approved for [3]:

• Treating bleeding episodes when they happen
• Controlling bleeding during and after a surgery
• Regular preventive treatment to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes

Please note that Jivi is not recommended for children under 7 years of age, people who never received factor VIII therapy, or people who have Von Willebrand disease.

How Does Jivi Work?

Factor VIII is a protein that your body needs to form blood clots properly. In people with hemophilia A, the body does not produce enough functional factor VIII. As a result, they experience prolonged or frequent bleeding episodes. 

Jivi is a laboratory-made factor VIII medicine. It works by replacing the missing clotting factor VIII in people with hemophilia A. The notable feature of Jivi is that it has been modified by attaching it to a substance called PEG (polyethylene glycol). This modification slows down the rate at which Jivi is removed from the body.

As a result, Jivi stays in your bloodstream for a longer time. Thus, you get longer-lasting protection against bleeding.

Jivi Side Effects

Like any other medicine, Jivi can also cause side effects. Some are mild while others may be serious and require immediate medical attention. Here are some common and serious side effects [3][4]:

Tác dụng phụ thường gặp

Here are the most common side effects of Jivi:

• Sốt
• Ho
• Đau đầu
• Đau bụng

These side effects are usually mild and resolve within a few days. But if they persist or worsen, consult your doctor.

Tác dụng phụ nghiêm trọng

Although rare, Jivi can cause serious side effects. Here are some of them:

Severe Allergic Reactions: Jivi can cause allergic reactions, which can be severe. Symptoms include rash, itching, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, and stomach cramps. If an allergic reaction occurs, stop using Jivi immediately and contact your doctor.

Development of Factor VIII Inhibitors: You may develop inhibitors (antibodies) that reduce the effectiveness of Jivi. If bleeding does not stop as expected, your doctor may conduct a blood test to check the factor VIII levels in the blood to confirm whether they are lower than they should be.

Immune Reaction to PEG: The immune system of some patients may react to PEG (a substance in Jivi). This can lead to sudden allergic reactions or make Jivi less effective. 

Please note that this is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual or severe symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Liều lượng

Jivi is available as a lyophilized powder in single-dose vials. Your doctor will reconstitute it before using. You will receive this drug through intravenous infusion. The dosage and frequency of Jivi infusion depend on your weight, the severity of your disease, and your treatment goal. Here is the usual recommended dosage of Jivi [4]:

Treatment of Bleeding Episodes and Surgical Use: The dosing is based on how much the patient’s factor VIII level needs to increase. The required dose is calculated using your body weight and the desired increase in factor VIII activity. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you.

Prevention of Bleeding: Here is the usual dosage that you must take regularly to prevent bleeding:

• For adults and children aged 12 years or older, the usual starting dose is 30-40 IU/kg twice weekly. If bleeding continues, the dosage can be adjusted to 45-60 IU/kg every 5 days.
• For children aged 7-11 years, the recommended starting dose is 60 IU/kg. Your doctor will adjust the dose based on clinical response and factor VIII recovery.

Before Starting Jivi

Before you start your treatment with Jivi, you need to discuss your full medical history with your doctor. This will ensure that the medicine is safe and effective for you and reduce the risk of complications during treatment. You should tell your doctor if you: 

• Have ever had an allergic reaction to factor VIII products or polyethylene glycol (PEG)
• Are allergic to rodents (such as mice or hamsters)
• Have developed factor VIII inhibitors (antibodies) in the past
• Have any other bleeding disorder besides hemophilia A
• Have a history of immune system disorders, as this may increase the risk of inhibitor formation
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

Make sure to always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and never change your dose or treatment schedule without medical advice.

Jivi Cost

Jivi is available as a powder in a single-dose vial for injection. Depending on the strength, a single vial can cost several thousand dollars. Actual out-of-pocket costs vary based on dose, insurance coverage, frequency, and assistance programs. Liên hệ với chúng tôi if you are interested in exploring financial assistance options for Jivi.