Do you also want to know about the Emicizumab injection? Let's talk about it!

Do you also have a problem with frequent bleeding due to Hemophilia A? Do you have difficulty stopping bleeding even from a small cut? If so, today we are going to talk about a new drug that can make a big difference in your life, helping to control bleeding. The name of this drug is Emicizumab. So, let's see the details about it?

What kind of medicine is Emicizumab?

Simply put, Emicizumab is a special injection that helps people with hemophilia A prevent bleeding or control bleeding if they are already bleeding. Did you know that when you have hemophilia A, your body lacks an important protein (factor VIII) that helps your blood clot? So this medicine works by helping to make up for that deficiency in a slightly different way, helping your blood clot. It's like temporarily replacing a broken bridge with something else.

This medicine may sometimes be used by your doctor for other medical reasons. Therefore, if you want to know exactly why this medicine has been prescribed for you, be sure to ask your doctor or the pharmacy where you buy the medicine.

This drug, Emicizumab, is most commonly available on the market under the name Hemlibra . You may have heard that name before.

What are the most important things I need to tell my doctor before using this medicine?

Yes, this is very important. Before you start this emicizumab injection, there are a few things you need to tell your care team. Because they need to think about your safety.

• If you have an allergic reaction to this medicine, Emicizumab, or any of its ingredients, please tell us first.
• Also, if you have any allergies to any other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives, please let us know. Even if it's a small thing, it's good to let us know.
• You should also definitely mention this if you are currently pregnant, or if you are hoping to become pregnant in the near future .
• If you are a breastfeeding mother, inform your doctor about that as well.

This information will be a great help to your doctor in choosing the most suitable and safest treatment for you.

How exactly do I use this medicine?

This is also something to understand. Emicizumab is a subcutaneous injection. That means it is injected into the fatty layer under the skin, not deep into the muscle. You may have seen insulin injections for diabetes, which are similar.

Don't worry, your doctor, nurse, or other trained health worker will clearly teach you how to prepare this medicine and how to give yourself (or someone to help you) this injection. You must do it exactly as they tell you.

• It is very important to take your medicine at regular intervals. Take it exactly as your doctor tells you, every few days, at the exact times.
• Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor, or take it more frequently.

Very important: Never throw your used needles and syringes into the trash. Doing so can be dangerous to the person taking out the trash or to anyone else. There is a special sharps container that is designed to hold sharps that can be tightly closed. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for one. They will tell you how to dispose of it safely when it is full.

What happens if you give this medicine to small children?

If your doctor decides that your child needs to be given emicizumab because he or she has hemophilia A, talk to your pediatrician about it. While this medicine can be given to children in some special cases, there are a few things to be aware of, depending on their age. Your doctor will explain all of this to you.

What to do if you accidentally take too much medicine?

If this happens, that is, if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not delay and call the nearest poison control center or hospital emergency room immediately. Or go there immediately. Acting on time is very important.

The best thing to remember is that this medicine is for you only. Do not share your medicine with others for any reason, even if they have the same illness as you.

What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?

Oh, it can happen. Everyone forgets to take their medicine sometimes. If you miss a dose of Emicizumab, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember (for example, if it is within 3 days of your next dose of a medicine that you take every 7 days), skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose, meaning you should take both the missed dose and the next dose at the same time. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there any other medications that may interact with this medicine?

Yes, this is good to know. There are some medications that can interact with emicizumab when taken together. Simply put, when these two medications are taken together, they can affect the effectiveness of one another, or they can increase side effects.

In particular, caution should be exercised when using emicizumab with some other treatments for hemophilia. Some examples are:

• Activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC)
• Factor VIIa, recombinant
• Factor VIII

There is a risk of a serious condition called thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and blood clots when this medicine is taken with emicizumab. Therefore, if you need other treatment for a sudden bleeding episode, it is important to tell your doctor that you are taking emicizumab.

This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you take – not just the ones prescribed by your doctor, but also vitamins, herbal remedies, painkillers, and dietary supplements you buy from the pharmacy. Also, if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs, it is in your best interest to tell your doctor . Some things can interact with your medications.

What else should I be aware of when taking this medicine?

While you're taking Emicizumab, your doctor will likely order various blood tests to monitor your health. These tests are used to check if the medication is working and if there are any problems. So, it's important to get these tests done regularly.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Think about it, any medicine we take can cause minor side effects, right? That's normal. Emicizumab can also cause them. But don't worry, most of the time these are not serious and will subside in a few days. However, there are some things we need to be especially careful about.

Side effects that you should tell your doctor or healthcare provider right away include:

If you experience these symptoms, tell a doctor as soon as possible, as they can be serious.

• Allergic reactions: sudden skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (which may cause difficulty breathing).
• Signs of a blood clot: This can be very dangerous. So be aware of these signs:
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
• A sudden decrease or change in the amount of urine you pass.
• Vision changes (e.g. sudden blurred vision, double vision).
• A severe, sudden, severe headache.
• Pain, swelling, redness, or warmth to the touch in an arm or leg (especially in the groin area).
• Severe stomach pain.
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body).
• Difficulty speaking or feeling like words are slurred.
• Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice).

If you see anything like this, you should seek medical advice immediately.

Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist or bother you:

These usually subside within a few days, but if they persist or if they cause you significant discomfort, tell your doctor .

• Diarrhea
• Fever with a feeling of weakness
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain, like aching muscles
• There may be some pain, redness, itching, or slight swelling at the site where the injection was given. This usually subsides within a day or two.

Even if it's not mentioned on this list, if you notice anything new or unusual after taking this medicine, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it.

How do I store this medicine properly?

It is also very important to store your medication properly.

• Always keep this medicine in a place where small children cannot touch it and cannot see it.
• If you are using this medicine at home, you will receive clear instructions on how to store it (e.g., in the refrigerator or at room temperature). Follow those instructions carefully.
• Do not use any medicine that has passed the expiration date printed on the bottle or box. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of it properly.

Finally, a few important points (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so from what we've discussed, I hope you have a good understanding of the Emicizumab injection. Here are some important things to remember:

• Emicizumab is an important and effective medication that can help control your bleeding if you have hemophilia A.
• It is essential to take this medicine at the right time and in the right dose, as the doctor says.
• If you have any questions or concerns about this medicine, how to use it, side effects, or anything else, don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. They are there to help you.
• Always be aware of side effects.If you experience any of the serious side effects we discussed, seek medical advice without delay.
• Be sure to dispose of used needles and syringes safely in a sharps container.
• Do not share your medicine with others.

Remember, this article has only given you some basic information. Everyone is different, so only your doctor knows what is best for your situation. So, always talk to him/her and follow his/her advice. Wishing you good health!

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