Benefix

Coagulation Factor IX, also known under the trade names of Benefix, Rixubis, recombinant injection is used in the treatment of patients with hemophilia B – congenital factor IX deficiency, especially during and after surgery. Factor IX is normally produced in the body, whereas Benefix is a man-made form of this factor, used to prevent bleeding. It works by helping the blood to clot if needed. 

Before you agree to the treatment with Benefix, make sure you get informed about the benefits but also about the potential side effects and risks. This is a decision that you would have to make together with your doctor. The beneficial effects should always outweigh the potential risks and side effects. It is very important to inform you doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product (if used before) or to any other medicines, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, make sure to inform the healthcare professional about any allergies of specific food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – There are proven studies that show no problems and specific risks connected to the age of the patients.
• Geriatric – Studies show that Benefix is considered safe to use within geriatric patients. There are no age-connected problems with the usage of Benefix.
• Pregnancy – Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. Because there are no proven studies that confirm the safety of this product to be used within pregnant women, it is not recommended to be used during pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding – Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding at the moment. There are no proven studies that confirm the safety of this product within nursing mothers, because of that it is not considered to be used in the period of breastfeeding. It should be only used if the benefits outweigh the potential side effects.
• Drug interactions – Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea, in the time of the treatment with Benefix. Some combinations of certain medicines are not considered to be safe to use, but in some cases those same combinations may be used for their beneficial effects. This is a decision that your doctor will make.
• Other interactions – Inform yourself if you need to follow any special diet during the time of the treatment with Benefix. Also, get advice about the usage of alcohol or tobacco while the treatment, because there may be a possibility that certain interactions may occur.
• Other medical problems – Inform your doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions that you have had in the past or you still have in the present. Especially if there ever has been or it is still present a condition of: allergy to hamster protein, disseminated intravascular coagulation, fibrinolysis, blood clots, liver disease, nephrotic syndrome and etc.

This medicine is given intravenously, by a needle in the vein by the doctor or a healthcare professional at the hospital. You can also be given directions about how to apply it yourself.

The dosage is directed by the doctor according to your condition, weight and the prognosis – the response to the treatment. If you are applying the medicine yourself at home and it happens to forget a dose, do not double it.

Contact your doctor for further directions and a new schedule. If you suspect an overdose, contact your doctor or healthcare professional right away.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine (if used before) or to any other medicines. This product may contain an inactive substance that may occur an allergic reaction. If you suspect an allergic reaction contact your doctor or healthcare professional right away.

This medicine should not be used within pregnant and nursing women, because there are no proven studies that confirm the safety of this medicine in the time of nursing and pregnancy. Your doctor would advise you to use a proven form of birth control in the time of the treatment to prevent a pregnancy, and to stop breastfeeding as well.

Discuss your medical history with your doctor, make sure you inform him about other medical conditions present in the past or at the moment and the therapy that you have been or you are still using to recover from it.

There is a possibility that this product will increase the risk of blood clots. If you have a sudden headache, chest pain, blurred vision, problems with breathing and unexplained weakness, contact your doctor. 

Along with the beneficial effects, there is a possibility of potential side effects. No all of the patients experience side effects. Make sure you get informed about the possible side effects so that you would be able to notice them and inform you doctor or healthcare professional in time.

Some of the side effects may disappear with time, and they may be just a result of the body reacting to its presence, until it is adjusted. Common side effects are nausea and vomiting, pain at the injection site, tingling, flushing, fever and chills, headache and others. If they persist or get worse, inform the healthcare professional.

Swelling at the injection site, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling in the joints/ankles, pain/swelling/redness of the arms and legs, increased or new bleeding or bruising are considered to be serious side effects. Inform the doctor right away about their presence. This product is made from human blood. Because of this there is a small possibility an infection to occur.

The symptoms of an infection are: fever, persistent sore throat, unusual tiredness, persistent nausea and vomiting, yellowish skin, eyes, dark urine. Inform your doctor right away so that he can decide to prescribe other medications to prevent and treat the infection.

There is also the possibility of a serious allergic reaction – the symptoms are – skin rash/itching, swelling of the hands, feet, tongue, face, severe dizziness and trouble breathing. Contact your doctor for further directions.