Hemophilia B

Overview

What is hemophilia B

Hemophilia is a hereditary, lifelong blood disorder in which the blood clots more slowly than normal. Normally, when an injury occurs that causes bleeding, our bodies respond by clotting (coagulating) the blood so the bleeding slows and eventually stops. There are at least 13 different proteins called “clotting Factors.” People with hemophilia have a deficiency of a blood protein called clotting Factor, and their blood does not clot fast enough. A deficiency of clotting Factor IX (nine) is called hemophilia B.

About 2% - 3% of people with hemophilia B will develop an inhibitor in which the immune system recognizes Factor IX (9) proteins as a foreign invader. The immune system creates antibodies against Factor IX; therefore, the product used to treat hemophilia B may need to be changed, or pre-medications to prevent symptoms and/or more Factor needs to be infused in order to overcome the body’s immune response that neutralizes the infused Factor. Some people have very high levels of inhibitors, so other products need to be infused in order to allow clotting functions to occur.

For more information, visit our website dedicated to bleeding disorders at www.hemophilia.com.


Questions regarding your hemophilia B therapy

You can reach the Accredo bleeding disorder care team, anytime, day or night, seven days a week by phone or online.

24-hour Customer Service Center

866-712-5200