Recombinate is a medication that can improve the clotting ability of the blood, especially in individuals with hemophilia. Also known as antihemophilic factor, it is typically given via an injection, and those with a prescription can administer it at home. In most cases it is a short-term prescription, and is often given around the time of surgery to help with post-surgery blood clotting. It can also be used in emergency situations where a hemophilic patient is bleeding, and will help manage the severity of these episodes.
Those who have been diagnosed with hemophilia have low levels of proteins in the blood that aid in clotting. This can be a serious risk for those undergoing major surgery or even some dental work, as the blood will not clot before there is significant blood loss. Administration of recombinate can raise the levels of clotting agent present in the bloodstream and help clots form faster, lowering the risk to the patient. This is a temporary treatment, and recombinate is generally administered right before and after surgery.
Repeated use of recombinate can result in the body building up a tolerance to the drug, lessening the clotting ability it creates. Medical professionals may instruct a patient to use the drug for several days after surgery to help prevent internal bleeding that can take place while the incisions heal. Self-administration at home usually requires the medication to be mixed before it is injected, so precisely following the directions that come with the prescription is crucial. Medication can be rendered unsafe if not handled according to directions; some can be damaged by exposure to bright light, and others need to be refrigerated. As there are no preservative elements in the drug, it generally has a very short shelf life.
Like many other medications given by injection, there may be some irritation, bruising, or soreness present at the injection site after recombinate is given, as well as some bleeding when the needle is removed. Patients may feel flushed or warm after the injection, and in some cases there may also be headaches, dizziness, or nausea. In most, side effects are minimal.
Some individuals can have an allergic reaction to recombinate, and it has been determined to be unsafe for women who are pregnant. It has also been shown to be ineffective in those individuals who have been diagnosed with von Willebrand disease, a mild form of hemophilia caused by low levels of a different sort of clotting protein not supplied by recombinate.