Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

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Hemlibra 150 mg/mL Solution for Injection

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Emicizumab may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Emicizumab
Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for

What Hemlibra is Hemlibra contains the active substance "emicizumab". This belongs to a group of medicines called "monoclonal antibodies". Monoclonal antibodies are a type of protein that recognise and bind to a target in the body. What Hemlibra is used for Hemlibra is a medicine used for treating patients of all ages with haemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency): ● who have developed factor VIII inhibitors ● who have not developed factor VIII inhibitors with: severe disease (the factor VIII blood level is less than 1%) moderate disease (the factor VIII blood level is from 1% to 5%) with severe bleeding phenotype. Haemophilia A is an inherited condition caused by a lack of factor VIII, an essential substance required for blood to clot and stop any bleeding. The medicine prevents bleeding or reduces bleeding episodes in people with this condition. 1 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

Some patients with haemophilia A can develop factor VIII inhibitors (antibodies against factor VIII) which stop the replacement factor VIII from working. How Hemlibra works Hemlibra restores the function of missing activated factor VIII that is needed for effective blood clotting. Its structure is different from factor VIII, therefore Hemlibra is not affected by factor VIII inhibitors. 2.

What you need to know before you take it

e Hemlibra

Do not use Hemlibra ●

if you are allergic to emicizumab or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you are not sure, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Hemlibra.

Warnings and precautions Before you start using Hemlibra, it is very important to talk to your doctor about using "bypassing agents" (medicines that help blood clot but which work in a different way from factor VIII). This is because treatment with bypassing agents may need to change while receiving Hemlibra. Examples of bypassing agents include activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) and recombinant FVIIa (rFVIIa). Serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur when aPCC is used in patients who are also receiving Hemlibra: Potentially serious side effects of using aPCC while receiving Hemlibra ●

Destruction of red blood cells (thrombotic microangiopathy) –

This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. When people have this condition, the lining of the blood vessels can be damaged and blood clots may develop in small blood vessels. In some cases, this can cause damage to the kidneys and other organs. Be cautious if you are at high risk for this condition (have had this condition in the past, or a member of your family have suffered from it), or if you are taking medicines that can increase the risk of developing this condition, such as ciclosporin, quinine or tacrolimus. It is important to know the symptoms of thrombotic microangiopathy, in case you develop the condition (see section 4, "Possible side effects" for a list of symptoms).

Stop using Hemlibra and aPCC, and talk to a doctor immediately if you or your caregiver notices any symptoms of thrombotic microangiopathy. ●

Blood clots (thromboembolism) –

In rare cases, a blood clot can form inside blood vessels and block them, which may be life-threatening. It is important to know the symptoms of such internal blood clots, in case they develop (see section 4, "Possible side effects" for a list of symptoms).

Stop using Hemlibra and aPCC, and talk to a doctor immediately if you or your caregiver notices any symptoms of blood clots in blood vessels.

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Other important information about Hemlibra ●

Antibody formation (immunogenicity) –

You may notice that bleeding is not being controlled with your prescribed dose of this medicine. This could be due to the development of antibodies to this medicine.

Talk to a doctor immediately if you or your caregiver notices an increase in bleeds. Your doctor may decide to change your treatment if this medicine stops working for you. Children below the age of 1 year In children less than one year of age, the blood system is still developing. If your child is less than one year old, your doctor may prescribe Hemlibra only after carefully weighing the expected benefits and risks of using this product. Other medicines and Hemlibra Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. ●

Using a bypassing agent while receiving Hemlibra Before you start using Hemlibra, talk to your doctor and carefully follow their instructions on when to use a bypassing agent and the dose and schedule you should use. Hemlibra increases the ability of your blood to clot. Therefore, the dose of bypassing agent required may be lower than the dose you used before starting Hemlibra. Use aPCC only if no other treatment can be used. If aPCC is required, talk to your doctor in case you feel you need a total of more than 50 units/kg of aPCC. For more information on using aPCC while receiving Hemlibra, see in section 2: "Potentially serious side effects of using aPCC while receiving Hemlibra". Despite limited experience with concomitant administration of anti-fibrinolytics with aPCC or rFVIIa in patients treated with Hemlibra, you should know that there may be a possibility of thrombotic events using anti-fibrinolytics administered intravenously in combination with aPCC or rFVIIa.

Laboratory tests Tell your doctor if you are using Hemlibra before you have laboratory tests to measure how well your blood is clotting. This is because Hemlibra in the blood may interfere with some laboratory tests, leading to inaccurate results. Pregnancy and breast-feeding ● ●

You should use an effective method of birth control (contraception) during treatment with Hemlibra and for 6 months after your last injection of Hemlibra. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. Your doctor will consider the benefit of you taking Hemlibra against the risk to your baby.

Driving and using machines This medicine is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. 3.

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Hemlibra is provided in single-use vials as ready to use solution which does not need to be diluted. A doctor qualified to care for patients with haemophilia will start you on treatment with Hemlibra. Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your healthcare provider if you are not sure.

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Keeping a record Each time you use Hemlibra, record the name and batch number of the medicine. How much Hemlibra to use The dose of Hemlibra depends on your weight and your doctor will calculate the amount (in mg) and corresponding amount of Hemlibra solution (in mL) to be injected: ●

Loading dose regimen: Weeks 1 to 4: The dose is 3 milligrams for every 1 kilogram you weigh, injected once a week.

●

Maintenance dose regimen: Week 5 and onwards: The dose is either 1.5 milligrams for every 1 kilogram you weigh, injected once a week, 3 milligrams for every 1 kilogram you weigh, injected every 2 weeks, or 6 milligrams for every 1 kilogram you weigh, injected every 4 weeks.

The decision, to use either the 1.5 mg/kg once weekly, 3 mg/kg every two weeks, or 6 mg/kg every four weeks maintenance dose, should be made in consultation with your doctor and, where applicable, with your caregiver. Different Hemlibra concentrations (30 mg/mL and 150 mg/mL) should not be combined in a single injection when making up the total volume to be injected. The amount of Hemlibra solution given in each injection must not be more than 2 mL.

How to take it

If you inject Hemlibra yourself or if your caregiver injects it, you or your caregiver must carefully read and follow the instructions in section 7, "Instructions for use". ● ● ● ● ●

Hemlibra is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneously). Your doctor or nurse will show you how to inject Hemlibra. Once you have been trained, you should be able to inject this medicine at home, by yourself or with the help of a caregiver. To correctly insert the needle under the skin, pinch a fold of loose skin at the clean injection site with your free hand. Pinching the skin is important to ensure that you inject under the skin (into fatty tissue) but not any deeper (into muscle). Injecting into a muscle could cause discomfort. Prepare and give the injection in clean and germ-free conditions using aseptic technique. Your doctor or nurse will give more information about this.

Where to inject Hemlibra ● ● ● ● ●

Your doctor will show you which areas of the body are suitable for injecting Hemlibra. The recommended places to give an injection are: the front of the waist (lower abdomen), upper outer arms, or the front of the thighs. Use only recommended places for injection. For each injection, use a different area of the body to the one you used last time. Do not give injections where the skin is red, bruised, tender, hard, or areas where there are moles or scars. When using Hemlibra, any other medicine injected under the skin should be given in a different area.

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Using syringes and needles ● ● ● ● ●

A syringe, a transfer needle with 5 micrometre filter or a vial adaptor with 5 micrometre filter, and an injection needle are used to draw up the Hemlibra solution from the vial into the syringe and to inject it under the skin. Syringes, transfer needles with filter or vial adaptor with filter, and injection needles are not provided in this pack. For more information, see in section 6 "What is needed for Hemlibra administration and is not contained in this pack". Make sure that you use a new injection needle for each injection and dispose of it after a single use. A 1 mL syringe should be used for an injection up to 1 mL of Hemlibra solution. A 2 to 3 mL syringe should be used for an injection greater than 1 mL and up to 2 mL of Hemlibra solution.

Use in children and adolescents Hemlibra can be used in adolescents and children of all ages. ● A child can self-inject the medicine provided the child's healthcare provider and the parent or caregiver agree. Self-injection for children below the age of 7 years is not recommended. If you use more Hemlibra than you should If you use more Hemlibra than you are supposed to, tell your doctor immediately. This is because you may be at risk of developing side effects such as blood clots. Always use Hemlibra exactly as your doctor has told you, and check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure. If you forget to use Hemlibra ● ●

If you forget your scheduled injection, inject the forgotten dose as soon as possible before the day of the next scheduled dose. Then, continue to inject the medicine as scheduled. Do not inject two doses on the same day to make up for a forgotten dose. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

If you stop using Hemlibra Do not stop using Hemlibra without talking to your doctor. If you stop using Hemlibra, you may no longer be protected against bleeding. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. 4.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Serious side effects of using aPCC while receiving Hemlibra Stop using Hemlibra and aPCC and talk to a doctor immediately if you or your caregiver notices any of the following side effects: ● Destruction of red blood cells (thrombotic microangiopathy): confusion, weakness, swelling of arms and legs, yellowing of skin and eyes, vague belly (abdominal) or back pain, feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) or urinating less – these symptoms may be signs of thrombotic microangiopathy. ● Blood clots (thromboembolism): 6 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

–

swelling, warmth, pain or redness – these symptoms may be signs of a blood clot in a vein near the surface of the skin. headache, numbness in your face, eye pain or swelling or problems with your vision – these symptoms may be signs of a blood clot in a vein behind your eye. blackening of the skin – this symptom may be a sign of severe damage to the skin tissue.

Other side effects when using Hemlibra Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people  a reaction in the area where the injection is given (redness, itching, pain)  headache  joint pain Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people  fever  muscle aches  diarrhoea  itchy rash or hives (urticaria)  skin rash Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people  destruction of red blood cells (thrombotic microangiopathy)  blood clot in a vein behind your eye (cavernous sinus thrombosis)  severe damage of the skin tissue (skin necrosis)  blood clot in a vein near the surface of the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis)  swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty in swallowing, or hives, together with difficulty in breathing which are suggestive of an angioedema  lack of effect or decreased response to treatment  allergic reaction Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.

How to store it

Hemlibra

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the vial label after "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze. Store in the original pack in order to protect from light. Once removed from the refrigerator, unopened vials may be kept at room temperature (below 30C) for up to 7 days. After storage at room temperature, unopened vials may be returned back to the refrigerator. The total time the medicine is stored at room temperature should not be more than 7 days. 7 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

Discard vials that have been kept at room temperature for more than 7 days or exposed to temperatures above 30C. Once transferred from the vial to the syringe, use Hemlibra straight away. Do not refrigerate the solution in the syringe. Before using the medicine, check the solution for particles or discoloration. The solution should be colourless to slightly yellow. Do not use this medicine if it is cloudy, discoloured, or contains visible particles. Throw away any unused solution appropriately. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. 6.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Hemlibra contains ●

●

The active substance is emicizumab. Each vial of Hemlibra contains 60 mg (0.4 mL at a concentration of 150 mg/mL), 105 mg (0.7 mL at a concentration of 150 mg/mL), 150 mg (1 mL at a concentration of 150 mg/mL) or 300 mg (2 mL at a concentration of 150 mg/mL) of emicizumab. The other ingredients are L-arginine, L-histidine, L-aspartic acid, poloxamer 188 and water for injections.

What Hemlibra looks like and contents of the pack Hemlibra is a solution for injection. It is a colourless to slightly yellow liquid. Each pack of Hemlibra contains 1 glass vial. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. What is needed for Hemlibra administration and is not contained in this pack A syringe, a transfer needle with filter or a vial adaptor with filter, and an injection needle are needed to withdraw the Hemlibra solution from the vial to a syringe and inject it under the skin (see section 7, "Instructions for use"). Syringes ●

1 mL syringe: Transparent polypropylene or polycarbonate syringe with Luer-lock tip, graduation 0.01 mL or ● 2 to 3 mL syringe: Transparent polypropylene or polycarbonate syringe with Luer-lock tip, graduation 0.1 mL. Note: Syringes with Low Dead Space (LDS) Plunger should be used when using the vial adaptor with filter.

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Transfer devices and needles ● ● ●

Transfer needle with filter: Stainless steel with Luer-lock connection, gauge 18 G, length 35 mm (11⁄2′′), containing a 5 micrometre filter and preferably with semi-blunted tip or Vial adaptor with filter: Polypropylene with Luer-lock, integrating a 5 micrometre filter, fitting 15 mm vial neck outer diameter and Injection needle: Stainless steel with Luer-lock connection, gauge 26 G (acceptable range: 25-27 gauge), length preferably 9 mm (3/8′′) or maximally 13 mm (1⁄2′′), preferably including needle safety feature.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Roche Products Limited 6 Falcon Way, Shire Park Welwyn Garden City AL7 1TW United Kingdom

This leaflet was last revised in May 2025

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7.

Instructions for use

Transfer Needle with Filter Option (for transfer of medicine from vial to syringe)

Instructions for Use Hemlibra Injection Single-Dose Vial(s) You must read, understand and follow the Instructions for Use before injecting Hemlibra. Your healthcare provider should show you how to prepare, measure, and inject Hemlibra properly before you use it for the first time. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

Important Information: Do not use these instructions when using a Vial Adaptor to withdraw Hemlibra from the vial. These instructions are for use with the Transfer Needle only. ●

Do not inject yourself or someone else unless you have been shown how to by your healthcare provider.

●

Make sure the name Hemlibra is on the box and vial label.

●

Before opening the vial, read the vial label to make sure you have the correct medicine strength(s) to give the dose prescribed for you. You may need to use more than 1 vial to give yourself the correct dose.

●

Check the expiry date on the box and vial label. Do not use if the expiry date has passed.

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Only use the vial once. After you inject your dose, throw away any unused Hemlibra left in the vial. Do not save unused medicine in the vial for later use.

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Only use the syringes, transfer needles and injection needles that your healthcare provider prescribes.

●

Use the syringes, transfer needles and injection needles only once. Throw away any used caps, vial(s), syringes and needles.

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If your prescribed dose is more than 2 mL, you will need to have more than one subcutaneous injection of Hemlibra; contact your healthcare provider for the injection instructions.

●

You must inject Hemlibra only under the skin.

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Storing Hemlibra vials: ●

Keep the vial in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.

●

Keep the vial in the original box to protect the medicine from light.

●

Once removed from the refrigerator, the unopened vial can be kept at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 7 days. After storage at room temperature unopened vials may be returned to the refrigerator. The total amount of time outside cold storage and at room temperature should not exceed 7 days.

●

Discard vials that have been kept at room temperature for more than 7 days or have been in temperatures above 30°C.

●

Keep the vials, out of the sight and reach of children.

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Take the vial out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before use and allow it to reach room temperature (below 30°C) before preparing an injection.

● Do not shake the vial.

Storing needles and syringes: ● Keep the transfer needle, injection needle and syringe dry. ● Keep the transfer needle, injection needle and syringe out of the sight and reach of children.

Inspecting the medicine and your supplies: ●

Collect all supplies listed below to prepare and give your injection.

●

Check the expiry date on the box, on the vial label and on the supplies listed below. Do not use if the expiry date has passed.

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Do not use the vial if: o the medicine is cloudy, hazy or coloured. o the medicine contains particles. o the cap covering the stopper is missing.

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Inspect the supplies for damage. Do not use if they appear damaged or if they have been dropped.

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Place the supplies on a clean, well-lit flat work surface.

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Included in the box:

Not included in the box:

●

Vial containing the medicine

●

Hemlibra Instructions for Use

●

Alcohol wipes Note: If you need to use more than 1 vial to inject your prescribed dose, you must use a new alcohol wipe for each vial. Gauze Cotton ball

● ●

Plunger

● ● ●

Barrel

●

● Needle (inside cap) Cap

●

● Needle (inside cap)

Safety shield

●

Syringe For injection amount up to 1 mL use a 1 mL syringe. For injection amount between 1 mL and 2 mL use a 2 mL or 3 mL syringe. Note: Do not use 2 or 3 mL syringe for doses up to 1 mL. 18G Transfer needle with 5 micrometre filter Note: If you need to use more than 1 vial to inject your prescribed dose, you must use a new transfer needle for each vial. Do not use the transfer needle to inject the medicine. Injection needle with safety shield (Used to inject medicine). Do not use the injection needle to withdraw medicine from vial.

Cap

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●

Sharps disposal container

Get ready: ●

●

15 min

● ●

Selecting and preparing an injection site: ● Abdomen

Thigh

Upper arm

● ●

Before use, allow the vial(s) to reach room temperature for about 15 minutes on a clean flat surface away from direct sunlight. Do not try to warm the vial by any other way. Wash your hands well with soap and water.

Clean the chosen injection site area using an alcohol wipe. Let the skin dry for about 10 seconds. Do not touch, fan or blow on the cleaned area before your injection.

Caregiver only

For your injection, you can use your: ●

Thigh (front and middle).

●

Stomach area (abdomen), except for the 5 cm around the navel (belly button).

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Outer area of the upper arm (only if a caregiver is giving the injection).

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You should use a different injection site for each injection, at least 2.5 cm away from the area you used for any previous injection.

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Do not inject into areas that could be irritated by a belt or waistband.

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Do not inject into moles, scars, bruises, or areas where the skin is tender, red, hard or the skin is broken.

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Preparing the syringe for injection: ●

Once the syringe has been filled with the medicine, the injection must be given immediately.

●

Once the injection needle cap has been removed, the medicine in the syringe must be injected under the skin within 5 minutes.

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Do not touch exposed needles or place them on a surface once the cap has been removed.

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Do not use the syringe if the needle touches any surface.

Important information after the injection: ●

If you see drops of blood at the injection site, you can press a sterile cotton ball or gauze over the injection site for at least 10 seconds, until bleeding has stopped.

●

If you have bruising (small area of bleeding under the skin), an ice pack can also be pressed gently on the site. If bleeding does not stop, please contact your healthcare provider.

●

Do not rub the injection site after injection.

Disposing of the medicine and supplies: Important: Always keep the sharps disposal container out of reach of children. ●

Throw away any used caps, vial(s), needles and syringes in a sharps or puncture-proof container.Put your used needles and syringes in a sharps disposal container straight away after use. Do not throw away any loose caps, vials, needles and syringes in your household waste.

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If you do not have a sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is: − made of heavy-duty plastic. − can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out. − upright and stable during use. − leak-resistant. − properly labelled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.

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When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your local guidelines for the right way to throw away of your sharps disposal container.

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Do not throw away any used sharps disposal container in your household waste unless your local guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.

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1. PREPARATION Step 1. Remove vial cap and clean top ● ●

Take the cap off the vial(s). Throw away the vial cap(s) into the sharps disposal container.

●

Clean the top of the vial(s) stopper with an alcohol wipe.

Step 2. Attach transfer needle with filter to syringe ● Push and twist the transfer needle with filter clockwise on to the syringe until it is fully attached.

Push and twist

●

Slowly pull back on the plunger and draw air into the syringe that is the same amount as your prescribed dose.

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Step 3. Uncap transfer needle ● ●

●

Hold the syringe by the barrel with the transfer needle pointing up. Carefully pull the transfer needle cap straight off and away from your body. Do not throw the cap away. Place the transfer needle cap down on a clean flat surface. You will need to recap the transfer needle after transferring the medicine. Do not touch the needle tip or place it on a surface after the needle cap has been removed.

Step 4. Inject air into vial ●

Keep the vial on the flat working surface and insert the transfer needle and syringe straight down into the centre of the vial stopper.

●

Keep the needle in the vial and turn the vial upside down.

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With the needle pointing upwards, push on the plunger to inject the air from the syringe above the medicine. Keep your finger pressed down on the syringe plunger. Do not inject air into the medicine as this could create air bubbles or foam in the medicine.

● ●

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Step 5. Transfer medicine to syringe ● ●

● ●

Slide the tip of the needle down so that it is within the medicine. With the syringe pointing upwards, slowly pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with more than the amount of medicine needed for your prescribed dose. Hold the plunger firmly to ensure it does not pull back in Be careful not to pull the plunger out of the syringe.

Important: If your prescribed dose is more than the amount of Hemlibra in the vial, withdraw all medicine and go to the "Combining Vials" section now. Step 6. Remove air bubbles ●

Keep the needle in the vial and check the syringe for larger air bubbles. Large air bubbles can reduce the dose you receive.

●

Remove the larger air bubbles by gently tapping the syringe barrel with your fingers until the air bubbles rise to the top of the syringe. Move the tip of the needle above the medicine and slowly push the plunger up to push the air bubbles out of the syringe. If the amount of medicine in the syringe is now at or below your prescribed dose, move the tip of the needle to within the medicine and slowly pull back the plunger until you have more than the amount of medicine needed for your prescribed dose. Be careful not to pull the plunger out of the syringe. Repeat the steps above until you have removed the larger air bubbles.

●

● ●

Note: Ensure you have enough medicine in the syringe to complete your dose before moving onto the next step. If you cannot remove all medicine, turn the vial upright to reach the remaining amount. Do not use the transfer needle to inject medicine as this may cause pain and bleeding.

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2. INJECTION Step 7. Recap transfer needle ● ● ●

Remove the syringe and transfer needle from the vial. Using one hand, slide the transfer needle into the cap and scoop upwards to cover the needle. Once the needle is covered, push the transfer needle cap towards the syringe to fully attach it with one hand to prevent accidentally injuring yourself with the needle

Step 8. Clean injection site ● Abdomen

Thigh

Upper arm

Select and clean your injection site with an alcohol wipe.

Caregiver only

Step 9. Remove the used transfer needle from the syringe ● Remove the used transfer needle from the syringe by twisting anticlockwise and gently pulling. ● Throw away the used transfer needle into a sharps disposal container.

Twist and pull

Step 10. Attach injection needle to syringe ●

Push and twist the injection needle clockwise onto the syringe until it is fully attached.

Push and twist

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Step 11. Move safety shield ●

Move the safety shield away from the needle and towards the syringe barrel.

●

Carefully pull the injection needle cap straightaway from the syringe. Throw away the cap into a sharps disposal container. Do not touch the needle tip or allow it to touch any surface. After the injection needle cap has been removed, the medicine in the syringe must be injected within 5 minutes.

Step 12. Uncap injection needle ● ● ●

Step 13. Adjust plunger to prescribed dose ● Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up and slowly push the plunger to your prescribed dose. ● Check your dose, ensure the top rim of the plunger is in line with the mark on the syringe for your prescribed dose.

Step 14. Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection ● Pinch the selected injection site and fully insert the needle at a 45° to 90° angle with a quick, firm action. Do not hold or push on the plunger while inserting the needle. ● Hold the position of the syringe and let go of the pinched injection site.

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Step 15. Inject the medicine ● ●

Slowly inject all of the medicine by gently pushing the plunger all the way down. Remove the needle and syringe from the injection site at the same angle as inserted.

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3. DISPOSAL Step 16. Cover needle with safety shield ● ●

● ● ●

Move the safety shield forward 90°, away from the syringe barrel. Holding the syringe with one hand, press the safety shield down against a flat surface with a firm, quick motion until you hear a "click".

If you do not hear a click, look to see that the needle is fully covered by the safety shield. Keep your fingers behind the safety shield and away from the needle at all times. Do not detach the injection needle.

Step 17. Throw away the syringe and needle ● Put your used needles and syringes in a sharps disposal container right away after use. For further information refer to the section "Disposing of the medicine and supplies". ● Do not try to remove the used injection needle from the used syringe. ● Do not recap the injection needle with the cap. ● Important: Always keep the sharps disposal container out of reach of children. ● Throw away any used caps, vial(s), needles and syringes in a sharps or puncture-proof container

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Combining Vials If you need to use more than 1 vial to get to your prescribed dose, follow these steps after you have drawn up the medicine from the first vial as described in step 5. You must use a new transfer needle for each vial. Step A. Recap transfer needle ● ● ●

Remove the syringe and transfer needle from the vial. Using one hand, slide the transfer needle into the cap and scoop upwards to cover the needle. Once the needle is covered, push the transfer needle cap towards the syringe to fully attach it with one hand to prevent accidentally injuring yourself with the needle

Step B. Remove the used transfer needle from the syringe ● Remove the used transfer needle from the syringe by twisting anticlockwise and gently pulling. ● Throw away the used transfer needle into a sharps disposal container.

Twist and pull

Step C. Attach a new transfer needle with filter to the syringe ● ●

Push and twist a new transfer needle clockwise onto the same syringe until it is fully attached. Slowly pull back the plunger and draw some air into the syringe.

Push and twist

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Step D. Uncap transfer needle ● ●

●

Hold the syringe by the barrel with the transfer needle pointing up. Carefully pull the transfer needle cap straight off and away from your body. Do not throw the cap away. You will need to recap the transfer needle after transferring the medicine. Do not touch the needle tip.

Step E. Inject air into vial ●

With the new vial on the flat working surface, insert the new transfer needle and syringe, straight down into the centre of the vial stopper.

●

Keep the needle in the vial and turn the vial upside down.

●

With the needle pointing upwards, push on the plunger to inject the air from the syringe above the medicine. Keep your finger pressed down on the syringe plunger. Do not inject air into the medicine as this could create air bubbles or foam in the medicine.

● ●

Step F. Transfer medicine to syringe 23 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

●

Slide the tip of the needle down so that it is within the medicine. ● With the syringe pointing upwards, slowly pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with more than the amount of medicine needed for your prescribed dose. ● Hold the plunger firmly to ensure it does not pull back in ● Be careful not to pull the plunger out of the syringe. Note: Ensure you have enough medicine in the syringe to complete your dose before moving onto the next steps. If you cannot remove all medicine, turn the vial upright to reach the remaining amount. Do not use the transfer needle to inject medicine as this may cause pain and bleeding. Repeat steps A to F with each additional vial until you have more than the amount of medicine needed for your prescribed dose. Once completed, keep the transfer needle inserted in the vial and return to Step 6 "Remove air bubbles". Continue with the remaining steps.

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Vial adaptor with Filter Option (for transfer of medicine from vial to syringe)

Instructions for Use Hemlibra Injection Single-Dose Vial(s) You must read, understand and follow the Instructions for Use before injecting Hemlibra. Your healthcare provider should show you how to prepare, measure, and inject Hemlibra properly before you use it for the first time. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

Important Information: Do not use these instructions when using a transfer needle to withdraw Hemlibra from the vial. These instructions are for use with the Vial Adaptor only. ●

Do not inject yourself or someone else unless you have been shown how to by your healthcare provider.

●

Make sure the name Hemlibra is on the box and vial label.

●

Before opening the vial, read the vial label to make sure you have the correct medicine strength(s) to give the dose prescribed for you. You may need to use more than 1 vial to give yourself the correct dose.

●

Check the expiry date on the box and vial label. Do not use if the expiry date has passed

●

Only use the vial once. After you inject your dose, throw away any unused Hemlibra left in the vial. Do not save unused medicine in the vial for later use.

●

Only use the syringes, vial adaptors, and injection needles that your healthcare provider prescribes.

●

Use the syringes, vial adaptors and injection needles only once. Throw away any used caps, vial(s), vial adaptors, syringes and needles.

●

If your prescribed dose is more than 2 mL, you will need to have more than one subcutaneous injection of Hemlibra; contact your healthcare provider for the injection instructions.

●

You must inject Hemlibra only under the skin.

Storing Hemlibra vials: ●

Store the vial in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.

●

Keep the vial in the original box to protect the medicine from light. 25 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

●

Once removed from the refrigerator, the unopened vial can be kept at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 7 days. After storage at room temperature unopened vials may be returned to the refrigerator. The total amount of time outside cold storage and at room temperature should not exceed 7 days.

●

Discard vials that have been kept at room temperature for more than 7 days or have been in temperatures above 30°C.

●

Keep vials out of the sight and reach of children.

●

Take the vial out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before use and allow it to reach room temperature (below 30°C) before preparing an injection.

●

Do not shake the vial.

Storing vial adaptors, needles and syringes: ●

Keep the vial adaptor, injection needle and syringe dry.

●

Keep the vial adaptor, injection needle and syringe out of the sight and reach of children

Inspecting the medicine and your supplies: ●

Collect all supplies listed below to prepare and give your injection.

●

Check the expiry date on the box, on the vial label, and on the supplies listed below. Do not use if the expiry date has passed.

●

Do not use the vial if: − the medicine is cloudy, hazy or coloured. − the medicine contains particles. − the cap covering the stopper is missing.

●

Inspect the supplies for damage. Do not use if they appear damaged or if they have been dropped.

●

Place the supplies on a clean, well-lit flat work surface.

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Included in the box: ●

Vial containing the medicine

●

Hemlibra Instructions for Use

●

Alcohol wipes Note: If you need to use more than 1 vial to inject your prescribed dose, you must use a new alcohol wipe for each vial. Gauze Cotton ball

Not included in the box:

● ● ●

Plunger

Barrel

Vial adaptor with filter (To be added on top of vial). Note: Used for withdrawing medicine from the vial to the syringe. If you need to use more than 1 vial to inject your prescribed dose, you must use a new vial adaptor for each vial. Do not insert injection needle into vial adaptor.

● Syringe with Low Dead Space (LDS) Plunger Important: ● For injection amount up to 1 mL use 1 mL LDS syringe ● For injection amount over 1 mL use 2 or 3 mL LDS syringes. Note: Do not use 2 or 3 mL LDS syringes for doses up to 1 mL

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● Needle (inside cap)

Safety shield

●

Injection needle with safety shield (Used to inject medicine). Do not insert the injection needle into vial adaptor or use the injection needle to withdraw medicine from vial.

●

Sharps disposal container

Cap

Get ready: ●

●

15 min

●

Before use, allow the vial(s) to reach room temperature for about 15 minutes on a clean flat surface away from direct sunlight. Do not try to warm the vial by any other way. Wash your hands well with soap and water.

Selecting and preparing an injection site: Abdomen

Upper arm

● ● ●

Thigh

Clean the chosen injection site area using an alcohol wipe. Let the skin dry for about 10 seconds. Do not touch, fan or blow on the cleaned area before your injection.

Caregiver only

For your injection, you can use your: ●

Thigh (front and middle).

●

Stomach area (abdomen), except for the 5 cm around the navel (belly button).

●

Outer area of the upper arm (only if a caregiver is giving the injection).

●

You should use a different injection site for each injection, at least 2.5 cm away from the area you used for any previous injection.

●

Do not inject into areas that could be irritated by a belt or waistband. 28 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

●

Do not inject into moles, scars, bruises, or areas where the skin is tender, red, hard or the skin is broken.

Preparing the syringe for injection: ●

Once the syringe has been filled with the medicine, the injection must be given immediately.

●

Once the injection needle cap has been removed, the medicine in the syringe must be injected under the skin within 5 minutes.

●

Do not touch exposed needles or place them on a surface once the cap has been removed.

●

Do not use the syringe if the needle touches any surface.

Important information after the injection: ●

If you see drops of blood at the injection site, you can press a sterile cotton ball or gauze over the injection site for at least 10 seconds, until bleeding has stopped.

●

If you have bruising (small area of bleeding under the skin), an ice pack can also be pressed gently on the site. If bleeding does not stop, please contact your healthcare provider.

●

Do not rub the injection site after injection.

Disposing of the medicine and supplies: Important: Always keep the sharps disposal container out of reach of children. ●

Throw away any used caps, vial(s), vial adaptors, needles and syringes in a sharps or puncture-proof container.

●

Put your used vial adaptors, needles and syringes in a sharps disposal container straight away after use. Do not throw away any loose caps, vials, needles and syringes in your household waste.

●

If you do not have a sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is: –

made of heavy-duty plastic.

–

can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out.

–

upright and stable during use.

–

leak-resistant.

–

properly labelled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.

●

When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your local guidelines for the right way to throw away of your sharps disposal container.

●

Do not throw away any used sharps disposal container in your household waste unless your local guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.

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1. PREPARATION Step 1. Remove vial cap and clean top ● ●

Take the cap off the vial(s). Throw away the vial cap(s) into the sharps disposal container.

●

Clean the top of the vial(s) stopper with an alcohol wipe.

Peel off back to open the blister pack. Do not remove the vial adaptor from the clear plastic blister pack.

Firmly press down the plastic blister pack with the vial adaptor onto the vial, until you hear a "click".

Step 2. Insert vial adaptor onto vial

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 

Remove and throw away the plastic blister pack. Do not touch the tip of vial adaptor.

Step 3. Connect syringe to vial adaptor    

Remove syringe cap (if required). Push and twist the syringe clockwise on to the vial adaptor until it is fully attached. Do not insert the injection needle into the vial adaptor.

Step 4. Transfer medicine to syringe ●

Keep the vial adaptor attached to the syringe and turn the vial upside down.

●

With the syringe pointing upwards, slowly pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with more than the amount of medicine needed for your prescribed dose. Hold plunger firmly to ensure it does not pull back in. Be careful not to pull the plunger out of the syringe.

● ●

Important: If your prescribed dose is more than the amount of Hemlibra in the vial, withdraw all medicine and go to the "Combining Vials" section now. Step 5. Remove air bubbles 31 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

●

Keep the vial attached to the syringe and check the syringe for larger air bubbles. Large air bubbles can reduce the dose you receive.

●

Remove the larger air bubbles by gently tapping the syringe barrel with your finger until the air bubbles rise to the top of the syringe. Slowly push the plunger to push the large air bubbles out of the syringe. If the amount of medicine in the syringe is now at or below your prescribed dose, slowly pull back the plunger until you have more than the amount of medicine needed for your prescribed dose. Be careful not to pull the plunger out of the syringe. Repeat the steps above until you have removed the large air bubbles.

●

● ●

Note: Ensure you have enough medicine in the syringe to complete your dose before moving on to the next step.

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2. INJECTION Step 6. Clean injection site ● Abdomen

Thigh

Upper arm

Select and clean your injection site with an alcohol wipe.

Caregiver only

Step 7. Remove syringe from vial adaptor ● ●

Remove the syringe from the vial adaptor by twisting anticlockwise and gently pulling. Throw away the used vial/vial adaptor into a sharps disposal container.

Step 8. Attach injection needle to syringe ● ●

Push and twist the injection needle clockwise onto the syringe until it is fully attached. Do not insert the injection needle into vial adaptor or use the injection needle to withdraw medicine from vial.

Push and twist

Step 9. Move safety shield ●

Move the safety shield away from the needle and towards the syringe barrel.

Step 10. Uncap injection needle 33 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

● ● ● ●

Carefully pull the injection needle cap straightaway from the syringe. Throw away the cap into a sharps disposal container. Do not touch the needle tip or allow it to touch any surface. After the injection needle cap has been removed, the medicine in the syringe must be injected within 5 minutes.

Step 11. Adjust plunger to prescribed dose ● Hold the syringe with the needle pointing up and slowly push the plunger to your prescribed dose. ● Check your dose, ensure the top rim of the plunger is in line with the mark on the syringe for your prescribed dose.

Step 12. Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection ● Pinch the selected injection site and fully insert the needle at a 45° to 90° angle with a quick, firm action. Do not hold or push on the plunger while inserting the needle. ● Hold the position of the syringe and let go of the pinched injection site.

Step 13. Inject the medicine ● ●

Slowly inject all of the medicine by gently pushing the plunger all the way down. Remove the needle and syringe from the injection site at the same angle as inserted.

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3. DISPOSAL Step 14. Cover needle with safety shield ● ●

● ● ●

Move the safety shield forward 90°, away from the syringe barrel. Holding the syringe with one hand, press the safety shield down against a flat surface with a firm, quick motion until you hear a "click".

If you do not hear a click, look to see that the needle is fully covered by the safety shield. Keep your fingers behind the safety shield and away from the needle at all times. Do not detach the injection needle.

Step 15. Throw away the needle and syringe ● Put your used needles and syringes in a sharps disposal container right away after use. For further information refer to the section "Disposing of the medicine and supplies". ● Do not try to remove the used injection needle from the used syringe. ● Do not recap the injection needle with the cap. ● Important: Always keep the sharps disposal container out of reach of children. ● Throw away any used caps, vial(s), vial adaptors, needles and syringes in a sharps or puncture-proof container.

35 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

Combining Vials If you need to use more than 1 vial to get to your prescribed dose, follow these steps after you have drawn up the medicine from the first vial as described in step 4. You must use a new vial adaptor for each vial. Step A. Insert new vial adaptor into new vial ● Peel off back to open the blister pack. Do not remove the vial adaptor from the clear plastic blister pack.

●

Firmly press down the plastic blister pack with the vial adaptor onto the new vial, until you hear a "click".

● ●

Remove and throw away the plastic blister pack. Do not touch the tip of vial adaptor.

Step B. Remove syringe from used vial adaptor

36 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

● ●

Remove the syringe from the used vial adaptor by twisting anticlockwise and gently pulling. Throw away the used vial/vial adaptor into a sharps disposal container.

Step C. Connect syringe to new vial adaptor ● Push and twist the same syringe clockwise on to the next vial adaptor until it is fully attached.

Step D. Transfer medicine into syringe ●

Keep the vial adaptor attached to the syringe and turn the vial upside down.

●

With the syringe pointing upwards, slowly pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with more than the amount of the medicine needed for your prescribed dose. Hold plunger firmly to ensure it does not pull back in. Be careful not to pull the plunger out of the syringe.

● ●

Note: Ensure you have enough medicine in the syringe to complete your dose before moving on to the next step. Repeat steps A to D with each additional vial until you have more than the amount of medicine needed for your prescribed dose. Once completed, keep the vial adaptor onto the vial and return to Step 5 "Remove air bubbles". Continue with the remaining steps. 37 uk-hemlibra-pl-clean-250620-150mg-inj

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Frequently asked questions about Hemlibra 150 mg/mL Solution for Injection

How do I take Hemlibra 150 mg/mL Solution for Injection?

Hemlibra 150 mg/mL Solution for Injection comes as injection containing 150mg/ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

What is the active substance in Hemlibra 150 mg/mL Solution for Injection?

The active substance in Hemlibra 150 mg/mL Solution for Injection is emicizumab.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Hemlibra 150 mg/mL Solution for Injection, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Hemlibra 150 mg/mL Solution for Injection without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Emicizumab (2 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

Hemlibra is indicated for routine prophylaxis of bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency):

● with factor VIII inhibitors

● without factor VIII inhibitors who have:

o severe disease (FVIII < 1%)

o moderate disease (FVIII ≥ 1% and ≤ 5%) with severe bleeding phenotype.

Hemlibra can be used in all age groups.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Treatment should be initiated under the supervision of a physician experienced in the treatment of haemophilia and/or bleeding disorders.

Posology

Treatment (including routine prophylaxis) with bypassing agents (e.g. activated prothrombin complex concentrate [aPCC] and activated recombinant human FVII [rFVIIa]) should be discontinued the day before starting Hemlibra therapy (see section 4.4).

Factor VIII (FVIII) prophylaxis may be continued for the first 7 days of Hemlibra treatment.

The recommended dose is 3 mg/kg once weekly for the first 4 weeks (loading dose), followed by a maintenance dose from week 5, of either 1.5 mg/kg once weekly, 3 mg/kg every two weeks, or 6 mg/kg every four weeks, all doses administered as a subcutaneous injection.

The loading dose regimen is the same, irrespective of the maintenance dose regimen.

The maintenance dose regimen should be selected based on physician and patient/caregiver dosing regimen preference to support adherence.

The patient dose (in mg) and volume (in mL) should be calculated as follows:

● Loading dose (3 mg/kg) once weekly for the first 4 weeks:

Patient bodyweight (kg) x dose (3 mg/kg) = total amount (mg) of emicizumab to be administered

● Followed by a maintenance dose from week 5, of either 1.5 mg/kg once weekly, 3 mg/kg every two weeks or 6 mg/kg every four weeks:

Patient bodyweight (kg) x dose (1.5; 3 or 6 mg/kg) = total amount (mg) of emicizumab to be administered

The total volume of Hemlibra to be injected subcutaneously is calculated as follows:

Total amount (mg) of emicizumab to be administered ÷ vial concentration (mg/mL) = total volume of Hemlibra (mL) to be injected.

Different Hemlibra concentrations (30 mg/mL and 150 mg/mL) should not be combined in the same syringe when making up the total volume to be administered.

A volume greater than 2 mL per injection should not be administered.

Examples:

Patient's bodyweight of 16 kg, under a maintenance dose regimen of 1.5 mg/kg once weekly:

● Loading dose (first 4 weeks) example: 16 kg x 3 mg/kg = 48 mg of emicizumab needed for the loading dose.

● To calculate the volume to be administered divide calculated dose 48 mg by 150 mg/mL: 48 mg of emicizumab ÷ 150 mg/mL = 0.32 mL of 150 mg/mL Hemlibra concentration to be injected.

● Choose appropriate dose and volume from vial strengths available.

● Maintenance dose (from week 5 on) example: 16 kg x 1.5 mg/kg = 24 mg of emicizumab needed for the maintenance dose.

● To calculate the volume to be administered divide calculated dose 24 mg by 30 mg/mL: 24 mg of emicizumab ÷ 30 mg/mL = 0.8 mL of 30 mg/mL Hemlibra concentration to be injected once weekly.

● Choose appropriate dose and volume from vial strength available.

Patient's bodyweight of 40 kg, under a maintenance dose regimen of 3 mg/kg every two weeks:

● Loading dose (first 4 weeks) example: 40 kg x 3 mg/kg = 120 mg of emicizumab needed for the loading dose.

● To calculate the volume to be administered divide calculated dose 120 mg by 150 mg/mL: 120 mg of emicizumab ÷ 150 mg/mL = 0.8 mL of 150 mg/mL Hemlibra concentration to be injected.

● Choose appropriate dose and volume from vial strengths available.

● Maintenance dose (from week 5 on) example: 40 kg x 3 mg/kg = 120 mg of emicizumab needed for the maintenance dose.

● To calculate the volume to be administered divide calculated dose 120 mg by 150 mg/mL: 120 mg of emicizumab ÷ 150 mg/mL = 0.8 mL of 150 mg/mL Hemlibra concentration to be injected every two weeks.

● Choose appropriate dose and volume from vial strength available.

Patient's bodyweight of 60 kg, under a maintenance dose regimen of 6 mg/kg every four weeks:

● Loading dose (first 4 weeks) example: 60 kg x 3 mg/kg = 180 mg of emicizumab needed for the loading dose.

● To calculate the volume to be administered divide calculated dose 180 mg by 150 mg/mL: 180 mg of emicizumab ÷ 150 mg/mL = 1.20 mL of 150 mg/mL Hemlibra concentration to be injected.

● Choose appropriate dose and volume from vial strengths available.

● Maintenance dose (from week 5 on) example: 60 kg x 6 mg/kg = 360 mg of emicizumab needed for the maintenance dose.

● To calculate the volume to be administered divide calculated dose 360 mg by 150 mg/mL: 360 mg of emicizumab ÷ 150 mg/mL = 2.4 mL of 150 mg/mL Hemlibra concentration to be injected every four weeks.

● Choose appropriate dose and volume from vial strengths available.

Duration of treatment

Hemlibra is intended for long-term prophylactic treatment.

Dose adjustments during treatment

No dose adjustments of Hemlibra are recommended.

Delayed or missed doses

If a patient misses a scheduled subcutaneous injection of Hemlibra, the patient should be instructed to take the missed dose as soon as possible, up to a day before the day of the next scheduled dose. The patient should then administer the next dose on the usual scheduled dosing day. The patient should not take two doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose.

Special populations

Paediatric

No dose adjustments are recommended in paediatric patients (see section 5.2). There are no data in patients less than 1 year of age.

Elderly

No dose adjustments are recommended in patients ≥ 65 years of age (see sections 5.1 and 5.2). There are no data in patients over 77 years old.

Renal and hepatic impairment

No dose adjustments are recommended in patients with mild, renal or hepatic impairment (see section 5.2). There are limited data available on the use of Hemlibra in patients with moderate renal or hepatic impairment. Emicizumab has not been studied in patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment

Management in the perioperative setting

The safety and efficacy of emicizumab have not been formally evaluated in the surgical setting. Patients have had surgical procedures without discontinuing emicizumab prophylaxis in clinical studies.

If bypassing agents (e.g. aPCC and rFVIIa) are required in the perioperative period, please refer to the dosing guidance on the use of bypassing agents in section 4.4. If FVIII is required in the perioperative period, please refer to section 4.5.

When monitoring a patient's underlying haemostatic activity, please refer to section 4.4 for laboratory tests unaffected by emicizumab.

Immune tolerance induction (ITI)

The safety and efficacy of emicizumab in patients receiving ongoing immune tolerance induction have not yet been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

Hemlibra is for subcutaneous use only, and it should be administered using appropriate aseptic technique (see section 6.6).

The injection should be restricted to the recommended injection sites: the abdomen, the upper outer arms and the thighs (see section 5.2).

Administration of Hemlibra subcutaneous injection in the upper outer arm should be performed by a caregiver or healthcare professional.

Alternating the site of injection may help prevent or reduce injection site reactions (see section 4.8). Hemlibra subcutaneous injection should not be administered into areas where the skin is red, bruised, tender or hard, or areas where there are moles or scars.

During treatment with Hemlibra, other medicinal products for subcutaneous administration should, preferably, be injected at different anatomical sites.

Administration by the patient and/or caregiver

Hemlibra is intended for use under the guidance of a healthcare professional. After proper training in subcutaneous injection technique, a patient may self-inject Hemlibra, or the patient's caregiver may administer it, if their physician determines that it is appropriate.

The physician and the caregiver should determine the appropriateness of the child self-injecting Hemlibra. However, self-administration is not recommended for children below 7 years of age.

For comprehensive instructions on the administration of Hemlibra, see section 6.6 and package leaflet.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Traceability

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.

Thrombotic microangiopathy associated with Hemlibra and aPCC

Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) were reported from a clinical study in patients receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis when on average a cumulative amount of >100U/kg/24 hours of aPCC for 24 hours or more was administered (see section 4.8). Treatment for the TMA events included supportive care with or without plasmapheresis and haemodialysis. Evidence of improvement was seen within one week following discontinuation of aPCC and interruption of Hemlibra. This rapid improvement is distinct from the usual clinical course observed in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and classic TMAs, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (see section 4.8). One patient resumed Hemlibra following resolution of TMA and continued to be treated safely.

Patients receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis should be monitored for the development of TMA when administering aPCC. The physician should immediately discontinue aPCC and interrupt Hemlibra therapy if clinical symptoms and/or laboratory findings consistent with TMA occur, and manage as clinically indicated. Physicians and patients/caregivers should weigh the benefits and risks of resuming Hemlibra prophylaxis following complete resolution of TMA on a case-by-case basis. In case a bypassing agent is indicated in a patient receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis, see below for dosing guidance on the use of bypassing agents.

Caution should be used when treating patients who are at high risk for TMA (e.g. have a previous medical history or family history of TMA), or those who are receiving concomitant medicinal products known to be a risk factor for the development of TMA (e.g. ciclosporin, quinine, tacrolimus).

Thromboembolism associated with Hemlibra and aPCC

Serious thrombotic events were reported from a clinical study in patients receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis when on average a cumulative amount of >100U/kg/24 hours of aPCC for 24 hours or more was administered (see section 4.8). No cases required anticoagulation therapy. Following discontinuation of aPCC and interruption of Hemlibra, evidence of improvement or resolution was seen within one month (see section 4.8). One patient resumed Hemlibra following resolution of thrombotic event and continued to be treated safely.

Patients receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis should be monitored for the development of thromboembolism when administering aPCC. The physician should immediately discontinue aPCC and interrupt Hemlibra therapy if clinical symptoms, imaging, and/or laboratory findings consistent with thrombotic events occur, and manage as clinically indicated. Physicians and patients/caregivers should weigh the benefits and risks of resuming Hemlibra prophylaxis following complete resolution of thrombotic events on a case-by-case basis. In case a bypassing agent is indicated in a patient receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis, see below for dosing guidance on the use of bypassing agents.

Guidance on the use of bypassing agents in patients receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis

Treatment with bypassing agents should be discontinued the day before starting Hemlibra therapy.

Physicians should discuss with all patients and/or caregivers the exact dose and schedule of bypassing agents to use, if required while receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis.

Hemlibra increases the patient's coagulation potential. The bypassing agent dose required may therefore be lower than that used without Hemlibra prophylaxis. The dose and duration of treatment with bypassing agents will depend on the location and extent of bleeding, and the patient's clinical condition. Use of aPCC should be avoided unless no other treatment options/alternatives are available. If aPCC is indicated in a patient receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis, the initial dose should not exceed 50 U/kg and laboratory monitoring is recommended (including but not restricted to renal monitoring, platelet testing, and evaluation of thrombosis). If bleeding is not controlled with the initial dose of aPCC up to 50 U/kg, additional aPCC doses should be administered under medical guidance or supervision with consideration made to laboratory monitoring for the diagnosis of TMA or thromboembolism and verification of bleeds prior to repeated dosing. The total aPCC dose should not exceed 100 U/kg in the first 24-hours of treatment. Treating physicians must carefully weigh the risk of TMA and thromboembolism against the risk of bleeding when considering aPCC treatment beyond a maximum of 100 U/kg in the first 24-hours.

In clinical studies, no cases of TMA or thrombotic events were observed with use of rFVIIa alone in patients receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis.

Bypassing agent dosing guidance should be followed for at least 6 months following discontinuation of Hemlibra prophylaxis (see section 5.2).

Immunogenicity

Development of neutralising anti-emicizumab antibodies with decreasing emicizumab concentration leading to loss of efficacy has been uncommonly observed during clinical studies (see sections 4.8 and 5.1). Patients with clinical signs of loss of efficacy (e.g. increase in breakthrough bleeding events), should be promptly evaluated to assess the etiology and other therapeutic options should be considered if neutralising anti-emicizumab antibodies are suspected.

Effects of emicizumab on coagulation tests

Emicizumab restores the tenase cofactor activity of missing activated factor VIII (FVIIIa). Coagulation laboratory tests based on intrinsic clotting, including the activated clotting time (ACT), activated partial thromboplastin time (e.g. aPTT), measure the total clotting time including time needed for activation of FVIII to FVIIIa by thrombin. Such intrinsic pathway based tests will yield overly shortened clotting times with emicizumab, which does not require activation by thrombin. The overly shortened intrinsic clotting time will then disturb all single factor assays based on aPTT, such as the one stage FVIII activity assay (see section 4.4, Table 1). However, single factor assays utilising chromogenic or immuno-based methods are not affected by emicizumab and may be used to assess coagulation parameters during treatment, with specific considerations for FVIII chromogenic activity assays as described below.

Chromogenic FVIII activity tests may be manufactured with either human or bovine coagulation proteins. Assays containing human coagulation factors are responsive to emicizumab but may overestimate the clinical haemostatic potential of emicizumab. In contrast, assays containing bovine coagulation factors are insensitive to emicizumab (no activity measured) and can be used to monitor endogenous or infused FVIII activity, or to measure anti FVIII inhibitors.

Emicizumab remains active in the presence of inhibitors against FVIII and so will produce a false negative result in clotting based Bethesda assays for functional inhibition of FVIII. Instead, a chromogenic Bethesda assay utilising a bovine based FVIII chromogenic test that is insensitive to emicizumab may be used.

These two pharmacodynamic markers do not reflect the true haemostatic effect of emicizumab in vivo (aPTT is overly shortened and reported FVIII activity may be overestimated) but provide a relative indication of the pro-coagulant effect of emicizumab.

In summary, intrinsic pathway clotting-based laboratory test results in patients treated with Hemlibra should not be used to monitor its activity, determine dosing for factor replacement or anti-coagulation, or measure FVIII inhibitors titers. Caution should be taken if intrinsic pathway clotting based laboratory tests are used, as misinterpretation of their results may lead to under-treatment of patients experiencing bleeding episodes, which can potentially result in severe or life-threatening bleeds.

Laboratory tests affected and unaffected by emicizumab are shown in Table 1 below. Due to its long half-life, these effects on coagulation assays may persist for up to 6 months after the last dose (see section 5.2).

Table 1 Coagulation test results affected and unaffected by emicizumab

Results affected by emicizumab

Results unaffected by emicizumab

- Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)

- Bethesda assays (clotting-based) for FVIII inhibitor titers

- One-stage, aPTT-based, single-factor assays

- aPTT-based activated protein C resistance (APC-R)

- Activated clotting time (ACT)

- Bethesda assays (bovine chromogenic) for FVIII inhibitor titers

- Thrombin time (TT)

- One-stage, prothrombin time (PT)-based, single-factor assays

- Chromogenic-based single-factor assays other than FVIII1

- Immuno-based assays (e.g. ELISA, turbidimetric methods)

- Genetic tests of coagulation factors (e.g. Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin 20210)

1For important considerations regarding FVIII chromogenic activity assays, see section 4.4.

Paediatric population

There are no data in children < 1 year of age. The developing haemostatic system in neonates and infants is dynamic and evolving, and the relative concentrations of pro- and anticoagulant proteins in these patients should be taken into consideration when making a benefit-risk assessment, including potential risk of thrombosis (e.g. central venous catheter-related thrombosis).

Educational materials

All physicians who are expected to prescribe, use or oversee the administration of Hemlibra must ensure they have received and are familiar with the physician educational material. Healthcare professionals must explain and discuss the benefits and risks of Hemlibra therapy with the patient and their caregivers and ensure the patient card, and patient/carer guide, are provided. The patient/caregiver should be instructed to carry the patient card at all times and show it to any other healthcare professional consulted.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No adequate or well-controlled interaction studies have been conducted with emicizumab.

Clinical experience indicates a medicinal product interaction exists with emicizumab and aPCC (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).

There is a possibility for hypercoagulability with rFVIIa or FVIII with emicizumab based on preclinical experiments. Emicizumab increases coagulation potential, therefore the rFVIIa or FVIII dose required to achieve haemostasis may be lower than when used without Hemlibra prophylaxis.

In case of thrombotic complication, the physician should consider discontinuing rFVIIa or FVIII and interrupt Hemlibra prophylaxis as clinically indicated. Further management should be tailored to the individual clinical circumstances.

● Decision about dose modifications should take into account the half-life of medicinal products; specifically, interruption of emicizumab may not have an immediate effect.

● Monitoring using a FVIII chromogenic assay may guide the administration of coagulation factors, and testing for thrombophilic traits may be considered.

Experience with concomitant administration of anti-fibrinolytics with aPCC or rFVIIa in patients receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis is limited. However, the possibility of thrombotic events should be considered when systemic anti-fibrinolytics are used in combination with aPCC or rFVIIa in patients receiving emicizumab.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Women of childbearing potential/Contraception

Women of childbearing potential receiving Hemlibra should use effective contraception during, and for at least 6 months after cessation of Hemlibra treatment (see section 5.2).

Pregnancy

There are no clinical studies of emicizumab use in pregnant women. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Hemlibra. It is not known whether emicizumab can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. Hemlibra should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit for the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus taking into account that, during pregnancy and after parturition, the risk for thrombosis is increased and that several pregnancy complications are linked to an increased risk for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether emicizumab is excreted in human milk. No studies have been conducted to assess the impact of emicizumab on milk production or its presence in breast milk. Human IgG is known to be present in human milk. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from Hemlibra therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

Fertility

Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). No fertility data are available in humans. Thus, the effect of emicizumab on male and female fertility is unknown.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Hemlibra has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The overall safety profile of Hemlibra is based on data from clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance. The most serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported from the clinical studies with Hemlibra were thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and thrombotic events, including cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) and superficial vein thrombosis contemporaneous with skin necrosis (see below and section 4.4).

The most common ADRs reported in ≥ 10% of patients treated with at least one dose of Hemlibra were: injection site reactions (19.4 %), arthralgia (14.2 %) and headache (14.0 %).

In total three patients (0.7 %) in the clinical studies receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis withdrew from treatment due to ADRs, which were TMA, skin necrosis contemporaneous with superficial thrombophlebitis, and headache.

Tabulated list of adverse drug reactions

The following adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are based on data from post-marketing surveillance and pooled data from five phase III clinical studies (adult and adolescent studies [BH29884 - HAVEN 1, BH30071 – HAVEN 3, and BO39182 – HAVEN 4], an all-age group study [BO41423 – HAVEN 6], and a paediatric study [BH29992 - HAVEN 2]), in which a total of 444 patients with haemophilia A received at least one dose of Hemlibra as routine prophylaxis (see section 5.1). Three hundred and seven (69.1 %) of the clinical study participants were adults (of which two were female), 61 (13.7 %) were adolescents (≥ 12 to < 18 years), 71 (16.0 %) were children (≥ 2 to < 12 years) and five (1.1 %) were infants and toddlers (1 month to < 2 years). The median duration of exposure across the studies was 32 weeks (range: 0.1 to 94.3 weeks).

ADRs from the phase III clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance are listed by MedDRA system organ class (Table 2). The corresponding frequency categories for each ADR are based on the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Table 2 Summary of adverse drug reactions from pooled HAVEN clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance with Hemlibra

System Organ Class (SOC)

Adverse reactions

(preferred term, MedDRA)

Frequency

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Thrombotic microangiopathy

Uncommon

Nervous system disorders

Headache

Very common

Vascular disorders

Thrombophlebitis superficial

Uncommon

Cavernous sinus thrombosisa

Uncommon

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea

Common

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Skin necrosis

Uncommon

Angioedema

Uncommon

Urticaria

Common

Rash

Common

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Arthralgia

Very common

Myalgia

Common

General disorders and administration site conditions

Injection site reaction

Very common

Pyrexia

Common

Therapeutic response decreasedb

Uncommon

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon

aVascular disorders is a secondary SOC for cavernous sinus thrombosis.

bLoss of efficacy (therapeutic response decreased) manifest as an increase in breakthrough bleeding has been reported with neutralising anti-emicizumab antibodies with decreasing emicizumab concentration (see Description of selected adverse drug reactions and sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Description of selected adverse drug reactions

Thrombotic microangiopathy

In pooled phase III clinical studies, (TMA) events were reported in less than 1 % of patients (3/444) and in 9.7 % of patients (3/31) who received at least one dose of aPCC while being treated with emicizumab. All 3 TMAs occurred when on average a cumulative amount of > 100 U/Kg/24 hours of aPCC for 24 hours or more was administered during a treatment event (see section 4.4). Patients presented with thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury, without severe deficiencies in ADAMTS13 activity. One patient resumed Hemlibra following resolution of TMA without recurrence.

Thrombotic events

In pooled phase III clinical studies, serious thrombotic events were reported in less than 1 % of patients (2/444) and in 6.5 % of patients (2/31) who received at least one dose of aPCC while being treated with emicizumab. Both serious thrombotic events occurred when on average a cumulative amount of > 100 U/Kg/24 hours of aPCC for 24 hours or more was administered during a treatment event. One patient resumed Hemlibra following resolution of the thrombotic event without recurrence (see section 4.4).

Characterization of the interaction between emicizumab and aPCC treatment in pivotal clinical studies

There were 82 instances of aPCC treatment* in patients receiving Hemlibra prophylaxis, of which eight instances (10%) consisted of on average a cumulative amount of >100 U/kg/24 hours of aPCC for 24 hours or more; two of the eight instances were associated with thrombotic events and three of the eight instances were associated with TMA (Table 3). No TMA or thrombotic events were associated with the remaining instances of aPCC treatment. Of all instances of aPCC treatment, 68 % consisted of only one infusion < 100 U/kg.

Table 3 Characterisation of aPCC treatment* in the pooled phase III clinical studies

Duration of aPCC treatment

Average cumulative amount of aPCC over 24 hours (U/kg/24 hours)

<50

50–100

>100

<24 hours

9

47

13

24-48 hours

0

3

1b

>48 hours

1

1

7a,a,a,b

* An instance of aPCC treatment is defined as all doses of aPCC received by a patient, for any reason, until there was a 36-hour treatment-free break. Includes all instances of aPCC treatment excluding those in the first 7 days and those that occurred 30 days after the discontinuation of Hemlibra.

a Thrombotic microangiopathy

b Thrombotic event

Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions (ISRs) were reported very commonly (19.4 %) from the pooled phase III clinical studies. All ISRs observed in the Hemlibra clinical studies were reported as being non-serious and mild to moderate in intensity, and 94.9 % resolved without treatment. The most commonly reported ISR symptoms were injection site erythema (10.6 %), injection site pain (4.1 %), injection site pruritus (2.9 %) and injection site swelling (2.7 %).

Immunogenicity

In the pooled phase III clinical studies with Hemlibra, development of neutralising anti-emicizumab antibodies associated with decreasing emicizumab concentration was uncommon (see section 5.1). One patient, who developed neutralising anti-emicizumab antibodies with decreasing emicizumab concentration, experienced loss of efficacy (manifest as breakthrough bleeding) after five weeks of treatment and later discontinued Hemlibra treatment (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Paediatric population

The paediatric population studied comprises a total of 137 patients, of which 5 (3.6 %) were infants and toddlers (1 month to less than 2 years of age), 71 (51.8 %) were children (from 2 to less than 12 years of age) and 61 (44.5 %) were adolescents (from 12 to less than 18 years old). The safety profile of Hemlibra was overall consistent between infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

There is limited experience with overdose of Hemlibra.

Symptoms

Accidental overdose may result in hypercoagulability.

Management

Patients who receive an accidental overdose should immediately contact their physician and be monitored closely.

🇷🇴 Known in Romania as

Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca

  • HEMLIBRA 150 mg/ml prescriptionEMICIZUMABUM · injection / infusion
  • HEMLIBRA 30 mg/ml prescriptionEMICIZUMABUM · injection / infusion

Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →

🇵🇱 Known in Poland as

Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako

  • HemlibraEmicizumabum · injection / infusion

Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →

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