The difference in biological half-life varies a lot selleck inhibitor among individuals [6]. The levels of FVIII between two subjects may differ dramatically, for example, 48 h post infusion and time for the clotting factor level to decline to 1% may differ by more than 2 days. Consequently, dose and dosing during prophylaxis should

be individualised and based on individual PKs. Prophylaxis performed without ‘PK-thinking’ and implementation is therefore not recommended if treatment is meant to become optimised. This is also very true for factor replacement during surgery, irrespective of whether it is dosed as intermittent injections or as continuous infusion. In the largest prophylaxis study ever published (the recent comparison between The Netherlands

and Sweden), one main conclusion was that prophylaxis should be tailored individually and has a potential to save money at sustained efficacy [18]. The evidence in favour of PK parameters as a good surrogate for clinical efficacy and for the best use of money is thus overwhelming and was also convincingly shown when going from so-called standard dosing (every second day) to daily dosing [19]. A new interesting but also challenging era in haemophilia treatment is just around the corner. Long-acting FVIII and IX products will be available for treatment during the coming years. PK of these products differ substantially from traditional products in that the former, especially FIX where half-life is prolonged by around BMS-907351 in vivo five times, display a long tail-off period during which levels are quite low for many hours provided that dose intervals are longer than with traditional products. The risk for breakthrough bleeds is obvious, especially if the patient is performing vigorous physical activity. Given the discussion above, the use of PK has become obligatory to control factor levels during the days post infusion and

to monitor the risk of bleeding. MCE Another way to dose long-acting products is to keep the standard interval and dose, and instead, increase the trough level. This will, in a way, give the possibility to cure haemophilia. The use of PK calculations in routine clinical practice is jeopardised by the need for prolonged and frequent sampling to obtain fully reliable PK curves. However, this hurdle has been overcome by introducing population PK where only a few samples are needed [20, 21]. Introduction of convenient IT solutions (Apps) will certainly facilitate a more general use of PK at haemophilia centres. PK parameters are good surrogates for clinical efficacy and therefore PK should be used in haemophilia when dosing is determined. This is the only way to introduce evidence-based prophylaxis and to use this very costly therapy in the optimal way. PKs of FVIII and FIX are age dependent and individual, which also underlines the importance. Prophylactic treatment of haemophilia aims to prevent bleeding and maintain normal joint status [22].