[jgrossberg]

We are producing a guide entitled “Medications Containing Blood Components or Blood Fractions” or the NoBlood MedGuide for short. Why? Well, did you know that many common medications contain small amounts of blood or blood fractions? These include:

• certain vaccinations, such as immune globulin (IG) preparations, varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG)
• erythropoeitin utilized in the U.S. (Epogen, Procrit)
• snake antivenin (may be produced using horse blood)
• TB and others vaccinations cultured in blood or plasma medium

Most people, including many physicians and other health care personnel, are likely unaware that this is the case! We at NoBlood would like to help change that. Our goal is to compile and offer as a resource here on NoBlood a comprehensive guide to all medications that contain any kind of blood component.
Since NoBlood is a community-oriented site, we encourage everyone to provide input into the MedGuide contents and format. We especially need help from those with medical, pharmaceutical, biochemistry, or research backgrounds, but feedback from all is invited and appreciated. We think this is essential information that will benefit members of the public and health care personnel alike. You can help us get the NoBlood Med Guide rolling!

[markeldredge]

Great idea, Jan. We have a book in our office that the previous coordinator put together with many of the medications that have blood fractions listed, along with the physicians desk reference page for that medication. I am always amazed at how many MD's do not realize that EPO has Albumin (Human) in it. Not too long ago I had 2 surgeons and the anesthesiologist looking at the package insert for Procrit because a patient refused to take a shot due to it's having a fraction in it. When reading the description, they were very surprised to see albumin listed, and after the surgery they wanted to know why we cannot get EPO without albumin here in the USA. So a book or manual listing all of these products would be a great reference for those of us who might get called to verify on short notice whether or not a fraction exists in a medication. I'd be glad to share what we have available, and would certainly like a copy of the end product. Thanks for coming up with this project.

[Johnean Hansen]

I have noticed that some discussions on this forum mention medications that are not even available in the U.S. It would be helpful when this list is composed to make sure viewers know where it is available. I am interested to see what medicines contain actual blood components. There are many that contain fractions. Will you be listing them separately?

[markeldredge]

Here's a start to the Medication List:
1) Epogen, Procrit (Epoetin Alfa), Aranesp (Darbepoetin Alfa) - contain up to 2.5mg of Albumin (Human)
2) Plasbumin (various%), Albumin (various %), Buminate (various%) - Albumin made from pooled human venous plasma through fractionation
3) Koate, Antithrombin III, Monoclate-P, Humate-P, Helixate FS, Hemofil M, Mononine, and NovoSeven - all coagulation factors that contain fractions, either from pooled human plasma or animal sources
4) Plasmanate (Plasma Protein Fraction) - prepared from large pools of human plasma
5) Prolastin (Alpha1 Proteinase inhibitor) - prepared from pooled human plasma
6) BayGam, BayHep B, BayRab, BayRho-D, BayTet, Gamimune N (5 or 10%), Cytogam, WinRho SDF, Gammar P.I.V., Imogam Rabies-HT, Gammagard S/D, Iveegam EN, IVIG, RhoGam and MICRhoGam - immune globulins prepared by fractionation from human plasma
Please feel free to add what you've found, I know there's more out there!

[jgrossberg]

Thanks for the really good response so far! This will no doubt take a little time, and some research to address questions like that of Johnean Hansen, but I think this effort will prove quite worthwhile.

[ldpharmtec]

Our daughter owns a day spa and thought she should try botox before offering the service to her clients. The Dr. asked her if she was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. When she answered that she was the Dr. told her Botox has blood in it. I am a pharmacy technician and we checked the cps. Sure enough it does.

Just thought I would post the information as I'm sure many people have used it for either migraine prophlaxis or cosmetic purposes.

[jgrossberg]

WOW! Thanks for that information. This is just the kind of stuff we really need to know. Can you send me the source that you checked to verify the ingredients? I would really appreciate that, as I will then be able to add Botox to our growing list of substances.

[jimclh]

What do you mean that Botox has blood in it? Are you referring to a fraction or one of the four main components of blood?

[lori-carlson]

Follow the link to the Botox product insert. Botox contains human albumin, a protein derived by fractionation. It would be a conscience matter.

Lori

Allergan :: Botox Product Overview

[Johnean Hansen]

Botox is also being used in GI procedures.

Dr. Koop - Gastrointestinal - Diseases and Conditions, Treatments, General Health Information