nonacog alfa at a glance
Medicine class
Recombinant coagulation factor IX replacement
Main use
Preventing and treating bleeding in haemophilia B
Administration
Given into a vein after mixing the powder with the supplied solvent
Important record
Record the product name and batch number after each administration
What is nonacog alfa used for?
It is licensed for:
Treating bleeding in people with haemophilia B, including bleeding associated with surgery.
Preventing bleeding in people with haemophilia B.
Use in children and adults of all ages.
How does nonacog alfa work?
Factor IX is part of the clotting pathway that ultimately produces fibrin, the mesh that stabilises a blood clot. Nonacog alfa temporarily raises factor IX activity, helping correct the clotting-factor deficiency and reduce the tendency to bleed.
nonacog alfa preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 250 units, 500 units, 1000 units, 2000 units, 3000 units
How to take nonacog alfa
Treatment should be supervised by a clinician experienced in haemophilia. People giving it at home require training in intravenous administration and clean preparation technique.
Mix the powder only with the solvent supplied in the pack.
Inspect the prepared solution; it should be clear and colourless without visible particles.
Give it into a vein using the recommended equipment. Do not mix it with other medicines or administer it as a continuous drip.
Use the prepared solution immediately where possible and no later than three hours after mixing.
If blood clumps appear in the tubing or syringe, discard the equipment and solution and restart with a new pack.
nonacog alfa side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache, cough or fever
- Dizziness or altered taste
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rash, hives or flushing
- Pain, redness, itching or discomfort at the infusion site
- Chest discomfort or inflammation of a vein
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, wheezing, widespread hives, low blood pressure or collapse
- Continued bleeding or an unexpectedly poor response, which may indicate factor IX inhibitors
- Symptoms suggesting a blood clot, such as new painful limb swelling, sudden breathlessness or chest pain
nonacog alfa in pregnancy
Experience with factor IX during pregnancy is limited, so nonacog alfa should be used only when clearly indicated by the specialist team. Women with haemophilia B or low factor IX should involve their haemophilia and obstetric teams early because factor IX levels may remain low during pregnancy and bleeding risk requires individual planning.
nonacog alfa while breastfeeding
There is little experience of factor IX use while breastfeeding. The prescriber and haemophilia team should decide whether treatment is clearly indicated and whether any change to treatment or feeding is needed.
nonacog alfa interactions
No interactions between recombinant factor IX products and other medicines have been reported. Tell the haemophilia team about all medicines and supplements you use.
Common questions about nonacog alfa
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is nonacog alfa used for?
It is used to prevent and treat bleeding in people with haemophilia B, including bleeding associated with surgery.
Is nonacog alfa a blood product?
It is recombinant factor IX made using genetically engineered cells rather than extracted from donated human plasma.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.