Beriate is a powder plus the solvent. The made up solution is to be given by injection or infusion into a vein.

Beriate is made from human plasma (this is the liquid part of the blood) and it contains human coagulation Factor VIII. It is used to prevent or to stop bleedings caused by the lack of Factor VIII (haemophilia A) in the blood. It may also be used in the management of acquired Factor VIII deficiency.

Factor VIII is involved in blood clotting (coagulation). Lack of Factor VIII means that blood does not clot as quickly as it should and so there is an increased tendency to bleed. The replacement of Factor VIII with Beriate will temporarily repair the coagulation mechanisms.

Beriate is presented as a white powder and is supplied with water for injection.

The reconstituted solution should be clear to slightly opalescent, i.e. it might sparkle when held up to the light but must not contain any obvious particles.

Beriate 250 IU and 500 IU contain less than 1mmol sodium (23 mg) per vial, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

Beriate 1000 IU and 2000 IU contain 27.55 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each vial. This is equivalent to 1.4% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.