Treating Hemophilia A
Patients with severe hemophilia A require infusions of purified factor VIII products. Factor VIII products are made by either purification from human plasma (the liquid part of blood) or by synthetic processes. Advances in the purification and the development of synthetic, recombinant factor VIII technology have significantly improved the safety of all factor VIII products. Some patients with mild or moderate hemophilia A may benefit from treatment with a synthetic hormone called DDAVP. Available as a nose spray or by intravenous infusion, this hormone increases the levels of factor VIII in the blood.
Treating Hemophilia B
Hemophilia B, caused by a deficiency of factor IX, is treated with intravenous infusion of plasma-derived or synthetic recombinant factor IX.
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