Patient Information for Esperoct
ESPEROCT®
[antihemophilic factor (recombinant), glycopegylated-exei]
Read the Patient Information and the Instructions For Use that come with ESPEROCT® before you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill. There may be new information.
This Patient Information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. If you have questions about ESPEROCT® after reading this information, ask your healthcare provider.
What is the most important information I need to know about ESPEROCT®?
Do not attempt to do an infusion yourself unless you have been taught how by your healthcare provider or hemophilia treatment center.
You must carefully follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding the dose and schedule for infusing ESPEROCT® so that your treatment will work best for you.
What is ESPEROCT®?
ESPEROCT® is an injectable medicine used to replace clotting Factor VIII that is missing in patients with hemophilia A. Hemophilia A is an inherited bleeding disorder in all age groups that prevents blood from clotting normally.
ESPEROCT® is used to treat and prevent or reduce the number of bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A.
Your healthcare provider may give you ESPEROCT® when you have surgery.
Who should not use ESPEROCT®?
You should not use ESPEROCT® if you
- are allergic to Factor VIII or any of the other ingredients of ESPEROCT®
- if you are allergic to hamster proteins
If you are not sure, talk to your healthcare provider before using this medicine.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or nursing because ESPEROCT® might not be right for you.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before I use ESPEROCT®?
You should tell your healthcare provider if you:
- Have or have had any medical conditions.
- Take any medicines, including non-prescription medicines and dietary supplements.
- Are nursing.
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- Have been told that you have inhibitors to Factor VIII.
How should I use ESPEROCT®?
Treatment with ESPEROCT® should be started by a healthcare provider who is experienced in the care of patients with hemophilia A.
ESPEROCT® is given as an infusion into the vein.
You may infuse ESPEROCT® at a hemophilia treatment center, at your healthcare provider’s office or in your home. You should be trained on how to do infusions by your hemophilia treatment center or healthcare provider. Many people with hemophilia A learn to infuse the medicine by themselves or with the help of a family member.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how much ESPEROCT® to use based on your weight, the severity of your hemophilia A, and where you are bleeding. Your dose will be calculated in international units, IU.
Call your healthcare provider right away if your bleeding does not stop after taking ESPEROCT®.
If your bleeding is not adequately controlled, it could be due to the development of Factor VIII inhibitors. This should be checked by your healthcare provider. You might need a higher dose of ESPEROCT® or even a different product to control bleeding.
Do not increase the total dose of ESPEROCT® to control your bleeding without consulting your healthcare provider.
Use in children
ESPEROCT® can be used in children. Your healthcare provider will decide the dose of ESPEROCT® you will receive.
If you forget to use ESPEROCT®
If you forget a dose, infuse the missed dose when you discover the mistake. Do not infuse a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Proceed with the next infusions as scheduled and continue as advised by your healthcare provider.
If you stop using ESPEROCT®
Do not stop using ESPEROCT® without consulting your healthcare provider.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your healthcare provider.
What if I take too much ESPEROCT®?
Always take ESPEROCT® exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. You should check with your healthcare provider if you are not sure. If you infuse more ESPEROCT® than recommended, tell your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
What are the possible side effects of ESPEROCT®?
Common Side Effects Include:
- rash or itching
- swelling, pain, rash or redness at the location of infusion
Other Possible Side Effects:
You could have an allergic reaction to coagulation Factor VIII products. Call your healthcare provider right away or get emergency treatment right away if you get any signs of an allergic reaction, such as: hives, chest tightness, wheezing, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and/or swelling of the face.
Your body can also make antibodies called “inhibitors” against ESPEROCT®, which may stop ESPEROCT® from working properly. Your healthcare provider may need to test your blood for inhibitors from time to time.
These are not all of the possible side effects from ESPEROCT®. Ask your healthcare provider for more information. You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
What are the ESPEROCT® dosage strengths?
ESPEROCT® comes in five different dosage strengths. The actual number of international units (IU) of Factor VIII in the vial will be imprinted on the label and on the box. The five different strengths are as follows:
| Cap Color Indicator |
Nominal Strength |
| Red |
500 IU per vial |
| Green |
1000 IU per vial |
| Gray |
1500 IU per vial |
| Yellow |
2000 IU per vial |
| Black |
3000 IU per vial |
Always check the actual dosage strength printed on the label to make sure you are using the strength prescribed by your healthcare provider.
How should I store ESPEROCT®?
Prior to Reconstitution (mixing the dry powder in the vial with the diluent):
Protect from light. Do not freeze ESPEROCT®.
ESPEROCT® can be stored in refrigeration at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) for up to 30 months until the expiration date stated on the label. During the 30 month shelf life, ESPEROCT® may be kept at room temperature (not to exceed 86°F/30°C) for up to 12 months, or up to 104°F (40°C) for no longer than 3 months.
If you choose to store ESPEROCT® at room temperature:
- Record the date when the product was removed from the refrigerator.
- Do not return the product to the refrigerator.
- Do not use after 12 months if stored up to 86°F (30°C) or after 3 months if stored up to 104°F (40°C) or the expiration date listed on the vial, whichever is earlier.
Do not use this medicine after the expiration date which is on the outer carton and the vial. The expiration date refers to the last day of that month.
After Reconstitution:
The reconstituted (the final product once the powder is mixed with the diluent) ESPEROCT® should appear clear and colorless without visible particles.
The reconstituted ESPEROCT® should be used immediately.
If you cannot use the reconstituted ESPEROCT® immediately, it must be used within 4 hours when stored at or below 86ºF (30°C) or within 24 hours when stored in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Store the reconstituted product in the vial.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and out of reach of children.
What else should I know about ESPEROCT® and hemophilia A?
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed here. Do not use ESPEROCT® for a condition for which it is not prescribed. Do not share ESPEROCT® with other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
ESPEROCT®
[antihemophilic factor (recombinant), glycopegylated-exei] MixPro®
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING ESPEROCT®.
ESPEROCT® is supplied as a powder. Before infusion (administration) it must be mixed (reconstituted) with the liquid diluent supplied in the syringe. The liquid diluent is a sodium chloride solution. The mixed ESPEROCT® must be infused into your vein (intravenous infusion). The equipment in this package is designed to mix and infuse ESPEROCT®.
You will also need an infusion set (butterfly needle with tubing), sterile alcohol swabs, gauze pads, and bandages.
Don’t use the equipment without proper training from your doctor or nurse.
Always wash your hands and ensure that the area around you is clean.
When you prepare and infuse medication directly into the veins, it is important to use a clean and germ free (aseptic) technique. Improper technique can introduce germs that can infect the blood.
Don’t open the equipment until you are ready to use it.
Don’t use the equipment if it has been dropped, or if it is damaged. Use a new package instead.
Don’t use the equipment if it is expired. Use a new package instead. The expiration date is printed on the outer carton and on the vial, the vial adapter and the pre-filled syringe.
Don’t use the equipment if you suspect it is contaminated. Use a new package instead.
Don’t dispose of any of the items until after you have infused the mixed solution.
The equipment is for single use only.
Single-dose container. Discard unused portion.
Content
The package contains:
Package contents
- Vial with ESPEROCT® powder
- Vial adapter
- Pre-filled syringe with diluent
- Plunger rod (placed under the syringe)
Overview
Don’t touch the syringe tip. If you touch the syringe tip germs from your fingers can be transferred.
Caution: The pre-filled diluent syringe is made of glass with an internal tip diameter of 0.037 inches, and is compatible with a standard Luer-lock connector.
Some needleless connectors for intravenous catheters are incompatible with the glass diluent syringes (for example, certain connectors with an internal spike, such as Clave® /MicroClave®, InVision-Plus®, InVision- Plus CS®, Invision-Plus® Junior®, Bionector®).
To administer ESPEROCT® through incompatible needleless connectors, withdraw reconstituted product into a standard 10 mL sterile Luer-lock plastic syringe.
If you have encountered any problems with attaching the pre-filled sodium chloride syringe to any Luer–lock compatible device, please contact Novo Nordisk at (800) 727-6500.
- Prepare the vial and the syringe
- Take out the number of ESPEROCT® packages you need.
- Check the expiry date.
- Check the name, strength and color of the package, to make sure it contains the correct product.
- Wash your hands and dry them properly using a clean towel or air dry.
- Take the vial, the vial adapter and the pre-filled syringe out of the carton. Leave the plunger rod untouched in the carton.
- Bring the vial and the pre-filled syringe to room temperature. You can do this by holding them in your hands until they feel as warm as your hands.
- Remove the plastic cap from the vial. If the plastic cap is loose or missing, don’t use the vial.
- Wipe the rubber stopper with a sterile alcohol swab and allow it to air dry for a few seconds before use to ensure that it is as germ free as possible.
- Don’t touch the rubber stopper with your fingers as this can transfer germs.
- Attach the vial adapter
Don’t take the vial adapter out of the protective cap with your fingers. If you touch the spike on the vial adapter germs from your fingers can be transferred.
If the protective paper is not fully sealed or if it is broken, don’t use the vial adapter.
Once attached, don’t remove the vial adapter from the vial.
Don’t lift the vial adapter from the vial when removing the protective cap.
- Remove the protective paper from the vial adapter.
- Place the vial on a flat and solid surface.
- Turn over the protective cap, and snap the vial adapter onto the vial.
- Carefully remove the protective cap from the vial adapter.
- Attach the plunger rod and the syringe
- Grasp the plunger rod by the wide top end and take it out of the carton. Don’t touch the sides or the thread of the plunger rod. If you touch the sides or the thread germs from your fingers can be transferred.
- Immediately connect the plunger rod to the syringe by turning it clockwise into the rubber plunger inside the pre-filled syringe until resistance is felt.
- Remove the syringe cap from the pre-filled syringe by bending it down until the perforation breaks. Don’t touch the syringe tip under the syringe cap. If you touch the syringe tip germs from your fingers can be transferred. If the syringe cap is loose or missing, don’t use the pre-filled syringe.
- Screw the pre-filled syringe securely onto the vial adapter until resistance is felt.
- Mix the powder with the diluent
Don’t shake the vial as this will cause foaming.
It must be clear and colorless.
If you notice visible particles or discoloration, don't use it.
Use a new package instead.
ESPEROCT® is recommended to be used immediately after it is mixed.
If you cannot use the mixed ESPEROCT® solution immediately, it must be used within 4 hours when stored at ≤86°F (30°C) or within 24 hours when stored in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Store the reconstituted product in the vial.
Do not freeze mixed ESPEROCT® solution or store it in syringes.
Keep reconstituted ESPEROCT® solution out of direct light.
If your dose requires more than one vial, repeat step A to J with additional vials, vial adapters and pre-filled syringes until you have reached your required dose.
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- Hold the pre-filled syringe slightly tilted with the vial pointing downwards.
- Push the plunger rod to inject all the diluent into the vial.
- Keep the plunger rod pressed down and swirl the vial gently until all the powder is dissolved.
- Check the mixed solution.
- Keep the plunger rod pushed completely in.
- Turn the syringe with the vial upside down.
- Stop pushing the plunger rod and let it move back on its own while the mixed solution fills the syringe.
- Pull the plunger rod slightly downwards to draw the mixed solution into the syringe.
- In case you only need part of the entire vial, use the scale on the syringe to see how much mixed solution you withdraw, as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
- While holding the vial upside down, tap the syringe gently to let any air bubbles rise to the top.
- Push the plunger rod slowly until all air bubbles are gone.
- Unscrew the vial adapter with the vial.
- Infuse the mixed solution
ESPEROCT® is now ready to infuse into your vein.
Infusing the solution via a central venous access device (CVAD) such as a central venous catheter or subcutaneous port:
The peel-off label found on the ESPEROCT® vial can be used to record the lot number.
Disposal
Don’t throw it out with the ordinary household trash.
Don’t disassemble the vial and vial adapter before disposal.
Don’t reuse the equipment.
Important information
Contact your healthcare provider or local hemophilia treatment center if you experience any problems.
For full Prescribing Information please read the other insert included in this package.
- Do not mix ESPEROCT® with any other intravenous infusions or medications.
- Infuse the mixed solution slowly over 1 to 3 minutes as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
- Use a clean and germ free (aseptic) technique. Follow the instructions for proper use for your connector and central venous access device in consultation with your doctor or nurse.
- Infusing into a CVAD may require using a sterile 10 mL plastic syringe for withdrawal of the mixed solution and infusion.
- If necessary, use 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP to flush the CVAD line before or after ESPEROCT® infusion.
- After infusion, safely dispose of all unused ESPEROCT® solution, the syringe with the infusion set, the vial with the vial adapter, and other waste materials in an appropriate container for throwing away medical waste.