Factors VIII and IX are coagulation factors used for medical treatment of hemophilia A and B, respectively. These are either obtained from collected blood products or made using recombinant DNA technologies. If collected from blood products, the receipt is at an increased risk of infectious disease. Recombinant factors have the risk of allergic reactions. Hemophilia A and B will be discussed on the next page.
Desmopressin is a synthetic vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). In addition to having an antidiuretic (water retention) effect, it also increases coagulation factor VIII and von Willebrand factor. For this reason, desmopressin is useful in the treatment of von Willebrand disease, which is discussed on a future page.
