Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Christmas Disease (Hemophilia B)

Factor IX Injections

An individual affected by hemophilia B may choose to have factor IX injections to treat their disorder. Factor IX injections are most often administered in response to an individual's active bleeding episode. In some less common cases, factor IX injections may be utilized as prophylactic treatment. The factor IX complex used in these subcutaneous injections may contain an artificial, man-made derivative of factor IX or may be obtained from donor blood. Factor IX complexes made from human donor blood have been treated and purified through a specialized process to ensure no harmful viruses are present such as hepatitis C, hepatitis A, parvovirus B19, West Nile virus, HIV, and hepatitis B. Factor IX complex injections come in the form of a dry powder medicine meant to be mixed with a liquid diluent prior to injection. Cases have been reported where regular use of factor IX injections have induced the production of an antibody against factor IX, making the injection less effective. Factor IX injections may be used as a preventative measure in hemophilia B patients undergoing any type of surgical procedure.

Get the details on a medication often used in the treatment of hemophilia B next.