Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under your skin, usually in the upper outer arms, thighs, or stomach. This medicine may also be given at home to patients who do not need to be in a hospital or clinic. You or your caregiver may be trained to prepare and inject this medicine at home. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, red, bruised, hard, or not intact, or into areas with moles or scars.

Check the liquid in the vial. It should be colorless or slightly yellow. Do not use if it is cloudy, hazy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not shake.

You might not use all of the medicine in each vial. Use each vial only one time. Do not save an open vial.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form (solution):
    • For prevention of bleeding episodes:
      • Adults and children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 3 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) injected under the skin once a week for the first 4 weeks followed by a maintenance dose of 1.5 mg/kg once a week, or 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks, or 6 mg/kg once every 4 weeks.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Store it in its original carton. You may store the unopened vial at room temperature if needed, and then return to the refrigerator. It should not be stored out of the refrigerator for more than 7 days. Throw away any unused medicine left in the vial.

Portions of this document last updated: March 01, 2024

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