Atryn (antithrombin III, human recombinant)

Plasma Proteins Which Facilitate Anticoagulation Intravenous Vial (EA)

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Antithrombin alfa (antithrombin (recombinant)) is a biosynthetic (recombinant DNA origin) preparation of human antithrombin III, a naturally occurring anticoagulant.

Antithrombin alfa is a biosynthetic (recombinant DNA origin) preparation of human antithrombin III produced in the milk of transgenic goats. The transgenic technology involves insertion of the DNA coding sequence for human antithrombin III into the specific promotor gene that directs expression of the protein in the goat mammary gland. Antithrombin alfa is isolated and purified from goat milk using a series of filtration and chromatography steps.

Goats used in the production of antithrombin alfa are inspected, controlled for specific pathogens, and certified scrapie-free by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additional purification processes are employed to remove and/or inactivate potential viruses or pathogens present in the goat herd. Antithrombin alfa does not contain any preservatives nor is it formulated with human plasma proteins.

Antithrombin III plays a central role in hemostasis by regulating several key serine proteases in the blood coagulation pathway. Antithrombin III principally inhibits the activity of thrombin and factor Xa, and to a lesser extent, factors IXa, XIa, XIIa, trypsin, plasmin, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase (no longer commercially available in the US), and kallikrein. Irreversible complexes are formed between antithrombin III and its target protease, neutralizing the activity of the serine protease; the resulting complexes are then rapidly removed from the circulation by the liver.

Such a reaction is enhanced by more than 300- to 1000-fold in the presence of endogenous or exogenous heparin bound to antithrombin. Antithrombin III also exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects in the endothelium.

Antithrombin alfa is functionally and structurally similar to endogenous human antithrombin III but differs in its glycosylation structure; this difference is thought to result in increased (about fourfold) heparin affinity. Compared to plasma-derived antithrombin III, antithrombin alfa has a shorter half-life and more rapid clearance. The mean half-life of antithrombin alfa following a single IV dose of 50 or 100 units/kg in patients with congenital antithrombin III deficiency during non-high-risk situations is 11.6 or 17.7 hours, respectively.

Surgery, pregnancy, bleeding, or concomitant administration of heparin may affect the pharmacokinetics of antithrombin alfa. In pregnant women, clearance and volume of distribution of antithrombin alfa are increased compared with nonpregnant women or with men.

Generic name: antithrombin III, human recombinant
Drug class: Plasma Proteins Which Facilitate Anticoagulation
Therapeutic class: Hematological Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Atryn:

  • Antithrombin Iii Deficiency

Also known as: Atiii Deficiency.

Dosing

Potency of antithrombin alfa is expressed in international units (IU, units) as tested against the activity of the World Health Organization reference standard. Each vial is labeled with the number of units of antithrombin alfa (approximately 1750 units per vial).

Dosage of antithrombin alfa is individualized based on the patient's weight, baseline antithrombin III activity, and serial monitoring of serum antithrombin III activity levels (expressed as a percentage of normal). The goal of therapy is to achieve an antithrombin III activity level of 80-120% of normal. Serum antithrombin III levels should be monitored prior to and at regular intervals (i.e., once or twice daily) during therapy to ensure such target antithrombin III activity levels.

Dosage of antithrombin alfa differs in pregnant versus nonpregnant women because clearance and volume of distribution of the drug are increased in pregnant women. (See Description.)

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to goat and goat milk proteins.

Adverse reactions

The most common adverse effects reported in patients receiving antithrombin alfa in clinical studies were hemorrhage and infusion-site reactions.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Antithrombin III deficiency
D68.59ICD10CMOther primary thrombophilia

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data