Table of Contents
- What is FEIBA?
- What Conditions Does FEIBA Treat?
- How Does FEIBA Work?
- Usage and Dosage
- Clinical Studies and Effectiveness
- Safety and Side Effects
- Comparison with Other Treatments
What is FEIBA?
FEIBA, which stands for Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity, is a medication used to treat certain bleeding disorders. It’s also known as activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) or Anti-Inhibitor Coagulant Complex[1][2]. FEIBA contains several blood clotting factors that work together to help your blood clot properly when you’re bleeding.
What Conditions Does FEIBA Treat?
FEIBA is primarily used to treat and prevent bleeding in people with the following conditions:
- Hemophilia A with inhibitors: This is a rare but serious complication in some people with hemophilia A (a genetic disorder that affects blood clotting). In this condition, the body develops antibodies (inhibitors) that neutralize the clotting factor VIII that’s used to treat hemophilia A[1][3].
- Hemophilia B with inhibitors: Similar to hemophilia A with inhibitors, but involving factor IX[3].
- Other congenital bleeding disorders: FEIBA may also be used in other rare bleeding disorders where normal blood clotting is impaired[3].
How Does FEIBA Work?
FEIBA works by “bypassing” the need for the clotting factors that are missing or not working properly in people with hemophilia and inhibitors. It contains activated clotting factors that can help form a blood clot even when the usual clotting process is disrupted by inhibitors[4]. This makes it an effective treatment for bleeding episodes in people who have developed inhibitors to standard factor replacement therapy.
Usage and Dosage
FEIBA is typically administered intravenously (through a vein). The dosage and frequency of administration can vary depending on several factors, including:
- The severity and location of the bleeding
- The patient’s body weight
- The specific condition being treated
In some studies, FEIBA has been used in the following ways:
- For treating acute bleeding episodes: Doses ranging from 25 U/kg to 100 U/kg, with frequency depending on the response[2][5].
- For prevention of bleeding (prophylaxis): 85 U/kg (±15%) given on three non-consecutive days each week[5].
Always follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage and administration of FEIBA.
Clinical Studies and Effectiveness
Several clinical studies have investigated the effectiveness of FEIBA:
- A study compared FEIBA to another bypassing agent (NovoSeven) for treating joint bleeds in hemophilia patients with inhibitors. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these treatments after 6 hours[6].
- Another study looked at using FEIBA for preventing bleeds in hemophilia A patients with inhibitors. This study compared regular preventive use of FEIBA to on-demand treatment[5].
- A pilot study investigated the use of FEIBA in cardiac surgery patients to reduce the need for blood transfusions[4].
These studies generally found FEIBA to be effective in treating and preventing bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia and inhibitors.
Safety and Side Effects
While FEIBA is generally considered safe when used as directed, it can have side effects. Some potential risks include:
- Thrombotic events: In rare cases, FEIBA can cause blood clots to form where they shouldn’t. This risk may be higher when FEIBA is used in combination with other clotting agents[2].
- Allergic reactions: As with any medication, some people may have an allergic reaction to FEIBA.
- Other side effects: These may include headache, fever, or changes in blood pressure.
Your doctor will monitor you closely for any side effects when you’re using FEIBA.
Comparison with Other Treatments
FEIBA is one of several “bypassing agents” used to treat bleeding in hemophilia patients with inhibitors. Another commonly used bypassing agent is recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa), also known as NovoSeven[6][7]. Some key points about how FEIBA compares to other treatments:
- Both FEIBA and rFVIIa are considered effective for treating bleeds in patients with inhibitors.
- Some studies have directly compared FEIBA and rFVIIa to see if one is more effective than the other for certain types of bleeds[6].
- The choice between FEIBA and other treatments often depends on individual patient factors and response to treatment.
- In some cases, FEIBA and other treatments may be used in combination, although this requires careful monitoring due to the potential risk of blood clots[1].
Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your specific situation.


