Talking to Your Healthcare Provider
Partnering with your healthcare provider is an important part of managing a bleeding disorder.
Good communication can help you and your treatment team make appropriate decisions about your treatment.
Here are some helpful tips for talking to your healthcare provider so that you both get
all the information you need:
- Share information about any symptoms or treatment side effects you’ve experienced
since your last visit. Keeping a journal between visits may help.
- Ask questions and take notes before and during your visit. Feel free to jot down any answers and instructions you’re given.
- Ask for educational materials, such as treatment or condition brochures.
- After your visit, review your notes and other materials, and try doing some
of your own research on bleeding disorder Web sites or in books.
- Follow up with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
Get the printable healthcare professional discussion guide that you can keep handy
and take with you to doctor visits. This guide can serve as a conversation starter as you and the
healthcare professional discuss von Willebrand
disease (VWD) and treatment with Humate-P.
Taking an active role in your own healthcare can help you get the best care possible.
Start by learning all you can about bleeding disorders and their diagnosis:
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.