Hemophilia: Inhibitors
| About Inhibitors Types of Inhibitors |
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Types of Inhibitors
Did you know there are three types of inhibitors and each responds to therapy differently?
High Responder Inhibitor
A high responder inhibitor has a Bethesda Unit (BU) — a measure of inhibitor activity — measurement of greater than five. It is difficult to manage bleeding episodes when this type of inhibitor is present. Factor VIIa and FEIBA are the preferred treatments.
When an inhibitor occurs in a factor IX patient, it is usually a high responder. Some of these patients may develop an anaphylactic (allergic) reaction to products containing factor IX, making it difficult to treat bleeding episodes. Factor VIIa is a product that can be used for these inhibitor programs with good results.
Low Responder Inhibitor
A low responder inhibitor is less than five BUs. The treatment for this type of inhibitor is an overwhelming of the antibody by giving large doses of factor VIII for bleeding episodes. Follow-up infusions may need to be given more often and at larger doses than usual.
Transient Inhibitor
The transient inhibitor is found at different periods of time. These types of inhibitors usually resolve without intervention. However, the patient will need to be monitored to determine if the situation changes.
