PATIENT INFORMATION
KOVALTRY
(KOH-vahl-tree) Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant)
This leaflet summarizes important information about
KOVALTRY with vial adapter. Please read it carefully before using this
medicine. This information does not take the place of talking with your
healthcare provider, and it does not include all of the important information
about KOVALTRY. If you have any questions after reading this, ask your healthcare
provider.
Do not attempt to self-infuse unless you have been
taught how by your healthcare provider or hemophilia center.
What is KOVALTRY?
KOVALTRY is a medicine used to replace clotting factor
(Factor VIII or antihemophilic factor) that is missing in people with
hemophilia A (also called “classic” hemophilia). Hemophilia A is an inherited
bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting normally.
KOVALTRY is used to treat and control bleeding in adults
and children with hemophilia A. Your healthcare provider may give you KOVALTRY
when you have surgery. KOVALTRY can reduce the number of bleeding episodes in
adults and children with hemophilia A when used regularly (prophylaxis).
KOVALTRY is not used to treat von Willebrand Disease.
Who should not use KOVALTRY?
You should not use KOVALTRY if you
- are allergic to rodents (like mice and hamsters).
- are allergic to any ingredients in KOVALTRY.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before I use
KOVALTRY?
- Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical
conditions.
- Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all of
the medicines you take, including all prescription and non-prescription
medicines, such as over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies.
- Tell your healthcare provider if you have been told you
have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease.
- Tell your healthcare provider if you have been told that
you have inhibitors to Factor VIII (because KOVALTRY may not work for you).
What are the possible side effects of KOVALTRY?
The common side effects of KOVALTRY are headache, fever
and itchy rash.
Allergic reactions may occur with KOVALTRY. Call your
healthcare provider right away and stop treatment if you get tightness of the
chest or throat, dizziness, decrease in blood pressure, and nausea.
Your body can also make antibodies, called “inhibitors,”
against KOVALTRY, which may stop KOVALTRY from working properly. Consult with
your healthcare provider to make sure you are carefully monitored with blood
tests for the development of inhibitors to Factor VIII.
These are not all the possible side effects with
KOVALTRY. You can ask your healthcare provider for information that is written
for healthcare professionals.
Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that
bothers you or that does not go away.
What are the KOVALTRY dosage strengths?
KOVALTRY with 2.5 mL or 5 mL Sterile Water for Injection
(SWFI) comes in five different dosage strengths labeled as International Units
(IU): 250 IU, 500 IU, 1000 IU, 2000 IU, and 3000 IU. The five different
strengths are color-coded as follows:
Blue |
250 IU with 2.5 mL SWFI |
Green |
500 IU with 2.5 mL SWFI |
Red |
1000 IU with 2.5 mL SWFI |
Yellow |
2000 IU with 5 mL SWFI |
Gray |
3000 IU with 5 mL SWFI |
How do I store KOVALTRY?
Do not freeze KOVALTRY.
Store KOVALTRY at +2°C to +8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to
30 months from the date of manufacture. Within this period, KOVALTRY may be
stored for a period of up to 12 months at temperatures up to +25°C or 77°F.
Record the starting date of room temperature storage
clearly on the unopened product carton. Once stored at room temperature, do not
return the product to the refrigerator. The product then expires after storage
at room temperature for 12 months, or after the expiration date on the product
vial, whichever is earlier. Store vials in their original carton and protect
them from extreme exposure to light.
Administer reconstituted KOVALTRY as soon as possible. If
not, store at room temperature for no longer than 3 hours.
Throw away any unused KOVALTRY after the expiration date.
Do not use reconstituted KOVALTRY if it is not clear.
What else should I know about KOVALTRY and hemophilia
A?
Finding veins for injections may be difficult in young
children. When frequent injections are required, your healthcare provider may
propose to have a device surgically placed under the skin to facilitate access
to the bloodstream. These devices may result in infections.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other
than those listed here. Do not use KOVALTRY for a condition for which it is not
prescribed. Do not share KOVALTRY with other people, even if they have the same
symptoms that you have.
This leaflet summarizes the most important information
about KOVALTRY. If you would like more information, talk to your healthcare
provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information
about KOVALTRY that was written for healthcare professionals.
Instructions for Use
KOVALTRY
(KOH-vahl-tree) Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant)
Do not attempt to self-infuse unless you have been
taught how by your healthcare provider or hemophilia center.
You should always follow the specific instructions given
by your healthcare provider. The steps listed below are general guidelines for
using KOVALTRY. If you are unsure of the procedures, please call your
healthcare provider before using.
Call your healthcare provider right away if bleeding is
not controlled after using KOVALTRY.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe the dose that you
should take.
Your healthcare provider may need to take blood tests
from time to time.
Talk to your healthcare provider before traveling. You
should plan to bring enough KOVALTRY for your treatment during this time.
See the step-by-step instructions below for
reconstituting KOVALTRY with vial adapter. Follow the specific infusion
instruction leaflet included with the infusion set provided.
Carefully handle KOVALTRY. Dispose of all materials,
including any leftover reconstituted KOVALTRY product, in an appropriate
container.
Reconstitution
Always work on a clean surface and wash your hands before
performing the following procedure. Use only the components for reconstitution
and administration that are provided with each package of KOVALTRY. If a
package is opened or damaged, do not use this component. If these components
cannot be used, please contact your healthcare provider.
Prepare a clean flat surface and gather all the materials
needed for the infusion.
1. Warm the unopened diluent syringe and the concentrate
vial to a temperature not to exceed 37°C or 99°F.
2. Remove protective cap from the vial (A). Aseptically
cleanse the rubber stopper with a sterile alcohol swab, being careful not to
handle the rubber stopper.
Figure A
3. Place product vial on a firm, non-skid surface. Peel
off the paper cover on the vial adapter plastic housing. Do not remove the
adapter from the plastic housing. Holding the adapter housing, place over the
product vial and firmly press down (B). The adapter will snap over the vial
cap. Do not remove the adapter housing at this step.
Figure B
4. Holding the syringe by the barrel, snap the syringe
cap off the tip (C). Do not touch the syringe tip with your hand or any
surface. Set the syringe aside for further use.
Figure C
5. Now remove and discard the adapter plastic housing
(D).
Figure D
6. Attach the prefilled syringe to the vial adapter
thread by turning clockwise (E).
Figure E
7. Remove the clear plastic plunger rod from the carton.
Grasp the plunger rod by the top plate. Avoid touching the sides and threads of
the plunger rod. Attach the plunger rod by turning it clockwise into the
threaded rubber stopper of the prefilled syringe (F).
Figure F
8. Inject the diluent slowly by pushing down on the
plunger rod (G).
Figure G
9. Swirl vial gently until all powder on all sides of the
vial is dissolved (H). Do not shake vial. Be sure that all powder is completely
dissolved. Do not use if solution contains visible particles or is cloudy.
Figure H
10. Push down on the plunger to push all air back into
the vial. Then while holding the plunger down, turn the vial with syringe
upside-down (invert) so the vial is now above the syringe (I).
Figure I
11. Withdraw all the solution into the syringe by pulling
the plunger rod back slowly and smoothly (J). Tilt the vial to the side and
back to make sure all the solution has been drawn toward the large opening in
the rubber stopper and into the syringe. Remove as much air as possible before
removing the syringe from the vial by slowly and carefully pushing the air back
into the vial.
Figure J
12. Detach the syringe with plunger rod from the vial
adapter by turning counter-clockwise. Attach the syringe to the administration
set provided and inject intravenously (K). NOTE: follow instructions for
infusion set provided.
Figure K
Pooling
If the dose requires more than one vial, reconstitute
each vial as described above with the diluent syringe provided. To combine the
content of the vials, use a larger plastic syringe (not provided) to pool the
solution into the syringe and administer as usual.
Rate of Administration
The entire dose of KOVALTRY can usually be infused within
1 to 15 minutes. Your healthcare provider will determine the rate of
administration that is best for you.
Resources at Bayer available to the patient:
For Adverse Reaction Reporting, contact Bayer Medical
Communications 1-888-84-BAYER (1-888-842-2937)
To receive more product information, contact KOVALTRY
Customer Service 1-888-606-3780
Bayer Reimbursement HELPline 1-800-288-8374
For more information, visit www.KOVALTRY-us.com