Advate is an FDA-approved medicine used to treat children and adults with hemophilia A. In people with hemophilia A, the blood does not clot as it should.
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What Is Advate?
Advate is a brand-name prescription medication. The active medication in this product is recombinant clotting factor VIII. You may also call it a recombinant antihemophilic factor. It belongs to a class of medicines called antihemophilic factors. The term “recombinant” means Advate is made with recombinant DNA technology.
Recombinant clotting factors are not derived from blood. Therefore, Advate is not a blood product and does not carry the risk of spreading blood-borne viruses.
People with hemophilia A have little or no clotting factor VIII in their blood. Clotting factor VIII helps your body form blood clots. Factor VIII deficiency can lead to spontaneous, uncontrolled internal bleeding, which can be fatal.
The FDA initially approved Advate to control and prevent bleeding episodes in hemophilia A in 2003.
How Does Advate Work?
This medicine works by replacing factor VIII in people with hemophilia A.
How Is Advate Supplied and Used?
This medicine comes as a white to off-white powder for intravenous infusion (IV) in single-use vials. The following strengths are available in the United States:
- 250 IU
- 500 IU
- 1,000 IU
- 1,500 IU
- 2,000 IU
- 3,000 IU
- 4,000 IU
An IU (International Unit) is the amount of a substance that has a specific biological effect (in this case, to help your blood clot).
Before administering the drug, your provider will determine the dose. The dose and duration of treatment depend on:
- Severity of factor VIII deficiency
- Location and severity of bleeding
- Your body weight and overall health
- Desired factor VIII level
- Condition being treated
Your provider will calculate the dose using specific formulas. Then, they will prepare the liquid for injection following instructions on the package.
Your provider will administer the liquid over a period of 5 or fewer minutes. Before and during administration, you will have your pulse rate measured. If your pulse rate becomes high, they will likely reduce the rate of administration or temporarily stop the injection. Infusion should begin within 3 hours after dilution.
What Is Advate Used to Treat?
Advate is used in children and adults with hemophilia A to:
- Control and prevent bleeding episodes
- Prevent bleeding during surgery
- Reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes
This product is not used to treat a form of bleeding disorder called von Willebrand disease.
What Are the Side Effects of Advate?
Side effects can be mild or severe. The most common side effects are:
- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Common cold
- Joint pain
- Vomiting
- Upper airway infection
- Stuffy nose
- Diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Itching
- Unusual taste
- Swelling of legs
- Chills
- Sweating
- Rash
- Fatigue
Talk to your provider if these side effects persist or worsen.
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Advate can cause severe side effects in some users. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes breathing problems and low blood pressure. Talk to your provider immediately if you develop the following symptoms after receiving Advate:
- Rash and itching
- Hoarseness
- Breathing difficulty
- Trouble swallowing
- Swelling of your hands, face, or mouth
Some users may form molecules called inhibitors that may prevent Advate from working properly. If that happens, you will have problems stopping a bleeding episode.
Those who develop inhibitors need special treatment until the body no longer makes inhibitors. Talk to your provider to learn more about inhibitors and blood tests to detect inhibitors.
Who Shouldn’t Receive Advate?
People allergic to mice, hamsters, or any product component should not receive Advate. Inform your provider if you have any known allergies.
Use in Pregnancy and Lactation
No human or animal data with use during pregnancy are available. Likewise, it is unknown if this medicine is present in breast milk or if it harms the breastfed infant. Tell your provider if you are pregnant or nursing a child.
Can You Self-Administer Advate?
If your provider has instructed you to self-administer this medicine, remember the following:
- Use Advate exactly as directed.
- Follow all directions on the prescription label.
- Never use this medication in larger or smaller quantities or for longer than recommended.
- Be sure to check the strength of the medicine on the label.
- Do not self-administer if you are not sure how to use the injection.
- Always use sterile water and a reconstitution device that comes with the product to prepare the solution for injection.
- Do not refrigerate the liquid after reconstitution.
- Use the liquid within 3 hours after reconstitution.
- Before using your dose, visually check the solution. It should be clear and colorless.
- Discard liquid that is not clear or contains particles.
- A single-use vial, as the name suggests, is for one use only.
- Put the needle, syringe, and Advate in a puncture-proof sharps container before disposing. Do not dispose of any of them in ordinary household trash.
- Keep the container away from children and pets.
- You may need frequent blood tests to check if the treatment is working or if you need to change your doses.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Because this medicine is administered when needed, a dosing schedule is unlikely. However, if you are on a schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is time for the next scheduled dose. Never use extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What Is the Difference Between Advate and Adynovate?
Like Advate, Adynovate is used to help treat and control bleeding in people with hemophilia A. Both products contain the same active substance, recombinant clotting factor VIII. However, Adynovate stays longer in your system, allowing less frequent dosing.
How Much Does Advate Cost?
The amount you pay for Advate treatment can vary, depending on your insurance plan, geographical location, and pharmacy. Contact your insurance provider to find out if your plan covers this medicine or if you need prior authorization.
According to Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., which makes Advate, over 90% of commercial and Medicaid health plans cover this medicine.
If you are new to Advate treatment, you may also be eligible to get 6 free trial doses with Takeda’s FREEDOM OF CHOICE program.
Contact us below to learn more about financial assistance for Advate.
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Dr. Saba Rassouli, PharmD was born and raised in Iran. She received her pharmacy degree from Marshall B. Ketchum University in 2022, where she graduated cum laude. The most rewarding part of her job is having the opportunity to care for each patient as if they were family and hearing about how happy and satisfied they are with the services provided by AmeriPharma. In her free time, she likes to go on walks, read books, and try different restaurants and foods.