Patient Education Materials

The educational materials listed below can help you manage von Willebrand disease (VWD). Just click on the link and print out any or all of these resources.

Medications to Avoid
Here you’ll find a listing of medications to avoid if you have VWD.

Activities to Enjoy
This page has information on recommended physical activities if you have VWD.

Von U Girls’ Club Journal
This journal is specially designed for girls with VWD. It contains a year’s worth of charts you can use to track your periods and medications. These charts can be shared with your healthcare providers to help them to determine the best treatment plan for you. It also contains useful advice about diet, school, and everyday health.

Important Safety Information

Humate-P is indicated for treatment and prevention of bleeding in adult patients with hemophilia A (classical hemophilia). Humate-P is also indicated in adult and pediatric patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD) for (1) treatment of spontaneous and trauma-induced bleeding episodes, and (2) prevention of excessive bleeding during and after surgery. This applies to patients with severe VWD, and patients with mild and moderate VWD for whom use of desmopressin is known or suspected to be inadequate. Humate-P is not indicated for the prophylaxis of spontaneous bleeding episodes.

Humate-P is contraindicated in individuals with a history of anaphylactic or severe systemic response to antihemophilic factor or von Willebrand factor preparations. Monitor for intravascular hemolysis and decreasing hematocrit values in patients with A, B, and AB blood groups who are receiving large or frequent doses. Also monitor VWF:RCo and FVIII levels in VWD patients, especially those undergoing surgery.

Thromboembolic events have been reported in VWD patients receiving coagulation factor replacement. Caution should be exercised and antithrombotic measures considered, particularly in patients with known risk factors for thrombosis.

Humate-P is derived from human plasma. The risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions in patients receiving Humate-P are allergic-anaphylactic reactions, including urticaria (hives), chest tightness, rash, pruritus (itching), and edema (swelling). For patients undergoing surgery, the most common adverse reactions are postoperative wound or injection-site bleeding, or nosebleed.

Please see full prescribing information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Important Safety Information for Stimate

Stimate^® (desmopressin acetate) Nasal Spray, 1.5 mg/mL is a treatment used to stop some types of bleeding in people with mild hemophilia A or mild to moderate von Willebrand disease (VWD) Type 1. Stimate Nasal Spray should not be used in children under 11 months of age.

All patients using Stimate Nasal Spray are at risk of water intoxication, fluid overload and low sodium levels in the blood. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on limiting the amount of fluid you drink when using Stimate Nasal Spray, as too much fluid intake can lead to serious adverse reactions, including seizures, coma, and even death. Fluid restrictions are especially important for children and elderly patients, as they are at higher risk for these reactions.

See the patient information leaflet in the prescribing information for Stimate Nasal Spray for symptoms that could mean your blood sodium level is low—including headache, hallucinations, confusion, restlessness, weight gain and muscle spasms. Immediately report any of these symptoms to your physician or, if necessary, an emergency department. Also contact your doctor immediately if you have uncontrolled bleeding.

Before being prescribed Stimate Nasal Spray, make sure your doctor knows about all your medical conditions and about any medications you are taking. Use Stimate Nasal Spray exactly as your healthcare provider has instructed.

Side effects of Stimate Nasal Spray generally come from having too much water in the body. The most common include facial flushing, nasal congestion, runny nose, nose bleed, sore throat, cough, and upper respiratory infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience a side effect that does not go away.

Please see full prescribing information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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