Skip to main content

Factor XIII A-Subunit (Recombinant) (Monograph)

Brand name: Tretten
Drug class: Hemostatics
VA class: BL500
Chemical name: Human Factor XIII [A2] homodimer (allele F13A*1B), recombinant DNA origin
Molecular formula: C3708H5735N1013O1111S28
CAS number: 606138-08-3

Introduction

Biosynthetic (recombinant DNA origin) preparation of human factor XIII A2 homodimer consisting of 2 factor XIII A-subunits.1 7 12

Uses for Factor XIII A-Subunit (Recombinant)

Congenital Factor XIII A-subunit Deficiency

Routine prophylaxis of bleeding in patients with congenital factor XIII A-subunit deficiency;1 5 6 31 34 designated an orphan drug by FDA for such use.4

Prophylactic therapy with factor XIII concentrate is recommended in all patients with severe (<1% factor XIII activity) deficiency; considered current standard of care.8 11 34 38

Factor XIII concentrate currently available in the US as a plasma-derived (Corifact) and a recombinant (Tretten) preparation.1 10 30 31 Some experts recommend preferential use of recombinant preparations because of potentially superior safety profile with respect to pathogen transmission.30 When selecting an appropriate factor XIII preparation, consider characteristics of each clotting factor concentrate in addition to individual patient variables.32

Not effective and should not be used in patients with factor XIII B-subunit deficiency.1 5 31

Factor XIII A-Subunit (Recombinant) Dosage and Administration

Administration

IV Administration

Administer by slow IV injection.1 (See Rate of Administration under Dosage and Administration.) Do not administer by continuous IV infusion.39

Initiate therapy under supervision of a clinician experienced in the treatment of rare bleeding disorders.1 May be self-administered in the home setting after appropriate training provided.1

Do not administer in the same IV line with other infusion solutions.1 39

Reconstitution

Reconstitute lyophilized drug with sterile water for injection provided by manufacturer.1 Prior to reconstitution, allow drug vial and diluent to warm to (but not exceed) room temperature (25°C).1 To avoid foaming, do not inject diluent directly onto powder.1 Gently swirl vial; do not shake.1 Resulting solution should be clear and colorless; discard if particulate matter or discoloration observed.1

May dilute solution with 0.9% sodium chloride injection to facilitate measurement of small doses (volumes) for administration.1

Administer immediately after reconstitution or within 3 hours.1 If not used immediately, store in refrigerator or at room temperature (not to exceed 25°C).1 Discard unused portion.1

Consult manufacturer's information for additional details on reconstitution and preparation of the drug.1 2

Rate of Administration

Administer at a rate not exceeding 1–2 mL/minute.1

Dosage

Dosage expressed in international units (IU, units).1 Each vial contains 2000–3125 units of factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant); actual number of units indicated on each vial and carton.1

Individualize dosage based on factor XIII activity and clinical response.1 36 Dosage adjustments based on age not required.1 36 37

Administer once a month to maintain trough factor XIII activity levels ≥10% (as measured by a validated assay).1 Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that a dose of 35 units/kg is sufficient to replace 100% of factor XIII activity; since factor XIII A2B2 tetramer levels increase proportionately with observed factor XIII activity up to 100%, higher doses may not result in further increases in factor XIII A2B2 tetramer levels.1

Pediatric Patients

Congenital Factor XIII A-subunit Deficiency
IV

35 units/kg once monthly.1 Consider dosage adjustment if bleeding not adequately controlled.1

Adults

Congenital Factor XIII A-subunit Deficiency
IV

35 units/kg once monthly.1 Consider dosage adjustment if bleeding not adequately controlled.1

Cautions for Factor XIII A-Subunit (Recombinant)

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Risk of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., urticaria, rash, chest tightness, wheezing, hypotension).1

If manifestations of anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity occur, immediately discontinue drug and initiate appropriate treatment.1

Thromboembolic Complications

Risk of thromboembolic complications.1 Although not observed with factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant), has been reported with plasma-derived factor XIII concentrates.1 5 6 10

In patients with an underlying risk of thrombosis, monitor for thromboembolic complications.1

Immunogenicity

Neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) to factor XIII may develop after treatment with factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant).1 May manifest as inadequate response to treatment.1

Monitor for possible development of inhibitory antibodies.1 If expected plasma factor XIII activity levels not attained or bleeding occurs during factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant) prophylaxis, perform appropriate assay to detect presence of inhibitors.1

Transient, low-titer non-neutralizing antibodies detected in pediatric patients receiving factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant); clinically important effects not observed.1 6

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.1

Lactation

Not known whether distributed into human milk.1 Use caution.1

Pediatric Use

Pediatric patients 0–17 years of age have received factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant) in clinical studies.1 Adverse effects were reported more frequently in children 6 to <18 years of age than in adults.1 (See Immunogenicity under Cautions.)

Pharmacokinetic parameters are similar across different age groups, including in pediatric patients.1

Geriatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in geriatric patients.1

Common Adverse Effects

Headache,6 7 extremity pain,1 7 injection site pain,1 increased fibrin D dimer levels.1

Drug Interactions

Specific Drugs

Drug

Interaction

Comments

Factor VIIa (recombinant)

Potential additive thrombotic effects and increased risk of thrombosis1

Monitor closely for thrombosis1

Factor XIII A-Subunit (Recombinant) Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Duration

After IV administration of 35 units/kg, plasma factor XIII activity increases to adequate levels and normal clot solubility is restored for approximately 28–30 days.7 35 36 37

Plasma Concentrations

After IV administration, plasma concentrations increase in dose-dependent manner.7

Distribution

Extent

Remains principally within intravascular space.7 35

Not known whether distributed into human milk.1

Elimination

Half-life

Approximately 5–15 days.1 35 36 37

Stability

Storage

Parenteral

Powder for Injection

2–8°C; avoid freezing.1 Protect from light.1

Reconstituted solutions: May store in refrigerator or at room temperature (≤25°C) for up to 3 hours after reconstitution.1

Actions

Advice to Patients

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Factor XIII A-Subunit (Recombinant)

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Parenteral

For injection, for IV use only

number of units indicated on label

Tretten (with sterile water for injection diluent; available with vial adapter)

Novo Nordisk

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions February 27, 2017. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

1. Novo Nordisk. Tretten Coagulation factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant) prescribing information. Plainsboro, NJ; 2014 April.

2. Novo Nordisk. Tretten Coagulation factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant) patient information. Plainsboro, NJ; 2014 April.

3. Novo Nordisk. Tretten Coagulation factor XIII A-subunit (recombinant) instructions for use. Plainsboro, NJ; 2014 April.

4. Food and Drug Administration. Orphan designations pursuant to Section 526 of the Federal Food and Cosmetic Act as amended by the Orphan Drug Act (P.L. 97-414). Rockville, MD. From FDA web site. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/index.cfm

5. Food and Drug Administration. Summary Basis for Regulatory Action: STN BLA#125398/0. From FDA website. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/BloodBloodProducts/ApprovedProducts/LicensedProductsBLAs/FractionatedPlasmaProducts/UCM381544.pdf

6. Inbal A, Oldenburg J, Carcao M et al. Recombinant factor XIII: a safe and novel treatment for congenital factor XIII deficiency. Blood. 2012; 119:5111-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22451421?dopt=AbstractPlus

7. Lovejoy AE, Reynolds TC, Visich JE. Safety and pharmacokinetics of recombinant factor XIII-A2 administration in patients with congenital factor XIII deficiency. Blood. 2006; 108:57-62. [Epub 2006 Mar 23.] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16556896?dopt=AbstractPlus

8. Karimi M, Bereczky Z, Cohan et al. Factor XIII deficiency. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2009; 35:426-38. [Epub 2009 Jul 13.] Review. http://www.wfh.org http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19598071?dopt=AbstractPlus

9. Bagoly Z, Koncz Z, Hársfalvi J et al. Factor XIII, clot structure, thrombosis. Thromb Res. 2012; 129(3):382-7. [Epub 2011 Dec 24]. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22197181?dopt=AbstractPlus

10. CSL Behring LLC. Corifact Factor XIII concentrate (human) prescribing information. Kankakee, IL; 2013 Jan.

11. Kohler HP. Novel treatment for congenital FXIII deficiency. Blood. 2012; 119:5060-1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22653950?dopt=AbstractPlus

12. Visich JE, Zuckerman LA, Butine MD et al. Safety and pharmacokinetics of recombinant factor XIII in healthy volunteers: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-dose study. Thromb Haemost. 2005; 94:802-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16270634?dopt=AbstractPlus

13. Odame JE, Chan AK, Wu JK et al. Factor XIII deficiency management: a review of the literature. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2014; 25:199-205. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24401950?dopt=AbstractPlus

30. Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC), National Hemophilia Foundation. MASAC recommendation regarding the use of recombinant clotting factor products with respect to pathogen transmission (May 6, 2014). MASAC recommendation #226. From National Hemophilia Foundation website. https://www.hemophilia.org

31. Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC), National Hemophilia Foundation. MASAC recommendations concerning products licensed for the treatment of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders (revised April 2014). MASAC recommendation #225. From National Hemophilia Foundation website. https://www.hemophilia.org

32. Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC), National Hemophilia Foundation. MASAC recommendations regarding factor concentrate prescriptions and formulary development and restrictions (March 12, 2005). MASAC recommendation #159. From National Hemophilia Foundation website. http://www.hemophilia.org

34. Bolton-Maggs PH, Perry DJ, Chalmers EA et al. The rare coagulation disorders--review with guidelines for management from the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors' Organisation. Haemophilia. 2004; 10:593-628. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15357789?dopt=AbstractPlus

35. Kerlin B, Brand B, Inbal A et al. Pharmacokinetics of recombinant factor XIII at steady state in patients with congenital factor XIII A-subunit deficiency. J Thromb Haemost. 2014; 12:2038-43. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25263390?dopt=AbstractPlus

36. Brand-Staufer B, Carcao M, Kerlin BA et al. Pharmacokinetic characterization of recombinant factor XIII (FXIII)-A2 across age groups in patients with FXIII A-subunit congenital deficiency. Haemophilia. 2015; :. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25643920?dopt=AbstractPlus

37. Williams M, Will A, Stenmo C et al. Pharmacokinetics of recombinant factor XIII in young children with congenital FXIII deficiency and comparison with older patients. Haemophilia. 2014; 20:99-105. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23834599?dopt=AbstractPlus

38. Acharya SS. Rare bleeding disorders in children: identification and primary care management. Pediatrics. 2013; 132:882-92. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24127475?dopt=AbstractPlus

39. Novo Nordisk, Plainsboro, NJ: Personal communication.