Factor VIII

Factor VIII is an essential blood coagulation protein used as a medication to treat and prevent bleeding in people with hemophilia A and other causes of low factor VIII levels. It acts as a cofactor for activated factor IX (factor IXa) in the activation of factor X during the coagulation cascade. Factor VIII is produced recombinantly or derived from human plasma and administered intravenously to temporarily replace missing or deficient endogenous protein. The primary indication is for the control and prevention of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A; it is not effective for treating von Willebrand disease unless combined with von Willebrand factor[2][3][7]. Recombinant forms were first developed by Genentech[5].

Brand names

AdvateKogenateRecombinateHelixate FSEloctate

Other names

antihemophilic globulin AFVIII