Panhematin

Panhematin is used for:

Treating symptoms of certain blood disorders (porphyria). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Panhematin is an enzyme inhibitor made from red blood cells. It works by correcting certain types of heme deficiency in the liver.

Do NOT use Panhematin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Panhematin
• you are taking anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), estrogens, barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), or steroids (eg, prednisone)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Panhematin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Panhematin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have blood clotting disorders

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Panhematin . However, no specific interactions with Panhematin are known at this time.

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), estrogens, or steroids (eg, prednisone) because they may decrease Panhematin 's effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because of the risk of their side effects may be increased by Panhematin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Panhematin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Panhematin :

Use Panhematin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Panhematin is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have about Panhematin .
• Do not use Panhematin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Panhematin , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Panhematin .

Important safety information:

• Panhematin is made from human blood. There is a very rare risk of getting a viral disease or a central nervous system disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from products with albumin. No cases of these problems have been found in patients who have used Panhematin .
• Panhematin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 16 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Panhematin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Panhematin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Panhematin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Panhematin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately.

Panhematin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Panhematin at home, store Panhematin as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Panhematin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Panhematin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Panhematin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Panhematin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.