Kcentra

Kcentra is a combination of human blood clotting factors. Clotting factors are substances that enable blood to form clots normally.

Doctors give Prothrombin Complex to reverse action of anticoagulant drugs. Anticoagulant drugs are often given to patients with heart attack, stroke and those who formed blood clots inside blood vessels elsewhere in the body.

Anticoagulants make it harder for the blood to form clots. However, there are situations wherein there is an urgent need for blood to clot, like in cases of serious trauma or major internal bleeding. In such cases, doctors give Prothrombin Complex to enable clotting in patients treated with anticoagulant drugs.

Prothrombin Complex has a quick onset and acts quickly to raise clotting factors in the bloodstream to enable the formation of clots in needed areas.

Prothrombin Complex is manufactured from pooled human plasma that is tested free from viruses, including blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis B.

Prothrombin Complex is an injectable drug and requires a doctor’s prescription.

Prothrombin Complex must be used only with doctor’s supervision.

Before using Kcentra, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Make sure to tell your doctor if you experienced allergies to Prothrombin Complex Human, Heparin and other products made from human plasma. You cannot use Prothrombin Complex Human if you are allergic to it.

Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before receiving Prothrombin Complex. Prothrombin Complex is an FDA pregnancy category C drug, which means it may cause harm to the unborn baby when given to pregnant patients. Ask your doctor whether it is safe to breastfeed when receiving Prothrombin Complex.

You cannot use Prothrombin Complex Human if you have a history of having too low platelet counts after receiving Heparin, and if you have disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Prothrombin Complex must be used with extreme caution in children and infants.

Do tell the doctor all your health problems before receiving Prothrombin Complex Human.

The doctor needs to know if you experienced the following conditions:

• History of forming blood clots that block blood vessel
• Blood or bleeding problems
• History of heart attack or stroke
• History of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ‘mini-stroke.'
• Chest pains

Make sure to tell all the medicines you take before receiving Prothrombin Complex. Make sure the doctor know if you are taking medicines that promote or reduce blood clotting.

To use Kcentra properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Prothrombin Complex is given as an injection. Health professionals will give Prothrombin Complex to you.

Prothrombin Complex is usually given only once. Repeated doses of Prothrombin Complex is not known to produce any benefit.

The doctor may also give you vitamin K. This vitamin is needed for the production of certain blood clotting factors.

Before using Kcentra, there are some precautions you must take.

Prothrombin Complex is made from a human blood product. Rarely, products from human blood may carry pathogens that cause serious diseases such as hepatitis A or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

If you are concerned about these risks, discuss it with your doctor. Note that no cases of diseases have been found in patients treated with Prothrombin Complex.

If you became pregnant or breastfeed while receiving Prothrombin Complex, contact your doctor.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Kcentra.

Call the doctor if you experienced the following while and shortly after receiving Prothrombin Complex:

• Severe allergic reaction symptoms such as hives, skin rash, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue or throat
• Pain in the leg or calf, which may be accompanied by swelling, tenderness or redness
• Pain or pressure in the jaw, chest or arm
• Confusion
• Coughing up blood
• Fainting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Slurred speech
• Stomach pain or swelling
• Difficulties walking or speaking
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Vision changes

Prothrombin Complex may cause the following minor side effects that are not harmful to health:

• Headache
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting