Comprehensive medication guide to NovoEight including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
With commercial insurance and the NovoCare Copay Savings Card, eligible patients can pay as little as $0 per fill (up to $12,000 savings/year). Insurance copay for commercially insured patients varies by plan tier and benefit design. Medicare and Medicaid coverage varies — contact NovoCare at 1-844-668-6732 for plan-specific guidance.
Estimated Cash Pricing
NovoEight is a specialty biologic with weight-based dosing; per-vial cost varies by strength (250–3,000 IU). Annual treatment costs for hemophilia A prophylaxis can range from $50,000 to over $200,000 depending on body weight and dosing frequency. Full out-of-pocket payment is not practical for most patients.
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NovoEight (turoctocog alfa) is a recombinant antihemophilic factor VIII (FVIII) manufactured by Novo Nordisk and FDA-approved in October 2013. It is indicated for use in adults and children with hemophilia A — a rare genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of clotting factor VIII. NovoEight replaces the missing FVIII, temporarily restoring the blood's ability to clot normally.
NovoEight is approved for three clinical uses: on-demand treatment and control of bleeding episodes, perioperative (surgical) bleeding management, and routine prophylaxis to prevent spontaneous bleeds and protect joints. It is not approved for von Willebrand disease.
NovoEight comes as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in six vial strengths (250, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, and 3,000 IU) that must be reconstituted before IV injection. A distinctive feature of NovoEight is its exceptional thermal stability — the only standard half-life factor VIII that can be stored at temperatures up to 104°F for up to 3 months, making it ideal for active patients and those who travel.
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NovoEight works by temporarily replacing the missing or deficient clotting factor VIII in patients with hemophilia A. Turoctocog alfa is a recombinant FVIII protein with a truncated B-domain — it retains only 21 amino acids of the natural B-domain, which does not affect clotting function but improves manufacturing consistency. It is produced in genetically engineered Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells without human or animal-derived materials.
After IV infusion, turoctocog alfa binds to von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the bloodstream, which protects it from degradation. When a blood vessel injury occurs, the drug is activated by thrombin, separates from VWF, and acts as a cofactor with Factor IXa on the platelet surface to dramatically amplify activation of Factor X — the pivotal step in thrombin generation and fibrin clot formation.
NovoEight has a standard half-life of approximately 8-12 hours in adults, necessitating every-other-day or three-times-weekly dosing for prophylaxis. The drug normalizes the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), a laboratory measure of the intrinsic coagulation pathway, confirming effective factor replacement.
250 IU — lyophilized powder for IV injection
Single-dose vial; reconstitute with sodium chloride 0.9%
500 IU — lyophilized powder for IV injection
Single-dose vial; reconstitute with sodium chloride 0.9%
1,000 IU — lyophilized powder for IV injection
Single-dose vial; reconstitute with sodium chloride 0.9%
1,500 IU — lyophilized powder for IV injection
Single-dose vial; reconstitute with sodium chloride 0.9%
2,000 IU — lyophilized powder for IV injection
Single-dose vial; reconstitute with sodium chloride 0.9%
3,000 IU — lyophilized powder for IV injection
Single-dose vial; reconstitute with sodium chloride 0.9%
NovoEight is not currently on the FDA's drug shortage list and is not in a national shortage as of 2026. However, as a specialty biologic distributed exclusively through specialty pharmacies, access challenges are common. Patients cannot pick up NovoEight at a standard retail pharmacy — it is dispensed through specialty pharmacy networks such as CVS Specialty, Accredo, BioMatrix, and Hemophilia Treatment Center-affiliated pharmacies.
The most common access barriers are insurance prior authorization requirements, specialty pharmacy network restrictions, and temporary inventory gaps for specific vial strengths (250, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, or 3,000 IU). These barriers can make it feel like a shortage even when the product is nationally available.
If you're having difficulty locating NovoEight at your specialty pharmacy, medfinder can call pharmacies on your behalf to find which ones have your specific prescription available — saving you hours of phone time.
NovoEight is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA scheduling restrictions on prescribing authority. However, the FDA-approved labeling states that treatment should be started by a healthcare provider experienced in the care of patients with hemophilia A. For most patients, this means a hematologist or a provider at a federally designated Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC).
Hematologists — primary specialists for hemophilia A management and factor therapy decisions
Pediatric hematologists — for children with hemophilia A; typically based at HTCs
HTC physicians and advanced practice providers — nurse practitioners and PAs at HTCs manage ongoing NovoEight prescriptions
Primary care physicians — may manage refills for stable patients in coordination with an HTC hematologist
Telehealth is available for established patients through many HTCs and hematology practices for follow-up visits and prescription refills. Initial diagnosis and treatment initiation should occur in person with access to coagulation laboratory testing. Find your nearest HTC at bleeding.org.
No. NovoEight (turoctocog alfa) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It does not have addiction, dependence, or abuse potential, so it is not subject to the DEA scheduling that applies to medications like opioids, stimulants, or benzodiazepines.
Because NovoEight is not a controlled substance, prescriptions can be written for multiple refills and can be transmitted electronically without the special requirements that apply to Schedule II-V medications. Any licensed prescriber can issue a NovoEight prescription, though the FDA recommends treatment be managed by providers experienced in hemophilia A care.
The most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials (≥1% of patients) include:
Injection site reactions (swelling, itching, pain, or redness at infusion site)
Pyrexia (fever)
Elevated liver enzyme levels
Factor VIII inhibitor development: Antibodies against FVIII that render the drug ineffective. Most common in previously untreated patients (42.9% of PUPs in trials). Monitor with periodic Bethesda assay testing.
Anaphylaxis/severe allergic reactions: Including hives, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of face/lips/tongue, dizziness, or fainting. Stop infusion and call 911 immediately. Contains trace hamster proteins — contraindicated in patients with hamster protein allergy.
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Esperoct (turoctocog alfa pegol)
Next-generation version of NovoEight by Novo Nordisk with PEGylation for extended half-life. Allows dosing every 4 days instead of every other day — up to 50% fewer infusions.
Altuviiio (efanesoctocog alfa)
Extended half-life FVIII approved in 2023 with once-weekly dosing. Longest half-life of any factor VIII product; made by Sanofi.
Advate (octocog alfa)
Widely used standard half-life recombinant FVIII from Takeda. Broadly available through most specialty pharmacy networks.
Hemlibra (emicizumab)
Non-factor bispecific antibody given by subcutaneous injection. Works with or without factor VIII inhibitors. Weekly, biweekly, or monthly dosing options. Currently among the most prescribed hemophilia therapies.
Jivi (damoctocog alfa pegol)
PEGylated extended half-life FVIII from Bayer for previously treated patients aged 7+. Every 5-day or once-weekly dosing.
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NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin)
majorNo direct pharmacokinetic interaction with NovoEight, but NSAIDs inhibit platelet function and increase GI bleeding risk — making hemophilia A harder to manage. Generally contraindicated in hemophilia A patients.
Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin, apixaban, rivaroxaban)
majorNo direct interaction with NovoEight, but concurrent use significantly increases bleeding risk and requires very close specialist monitoring. Rare situations may require both.
Antiplatelet drugs (clopidogrel, ticagrelor)
moderateImpair platelet function, increasing bleeding risk in combination with hemophilia A. Use requires specialist oversight.
High-dose fish oil / omega-3 supplements
minorHigh-dose omega-3 fatty acids may have mild antiplatelet effects. Discuss all supplement use with your hematologist.
Ginkgo biloba
moderateHas documented antiplatelet activity. Should generally be avoided by patients with hemophilia A.
NovoEight (turoctocog alfa) is a proven, FDA-approved recombinant factor VIII replacement therapy for hemophilia A that has been used successfully in hundreds of patients across large clinical trials spanning over 900 patient-years. Its standout feature — storage stability at up to 104°F for 3 months — makes it a practical choice for active, traveling patients.
The biggest challenges with NovoEight are not about the drug itself — they're about access. Because it's a specialty biologic, insurance prior authorization, specialty pharmacy logistics, and cost management require active coordination between the patient, their HTC, and Novo Nordisk's NovoCare support team. Patients who are well-connected to an HTC and aware of available savings programs are best positioned to maintain consistent, uninterrupted access.
If you're having trouble locating NovoEight at your specialty pharmacy, medfinder calls pharmacies on your behalf to find which ones can fill your prescription — saving you hours of frustration. Enter your medication, dose, and location to get started.
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