What is Kcentra: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Feb 7, 2023

Kcentra overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Kcentra

Generic Names:

  • Kcentra

Uses:

  • Helps to reverse the effects of anticoagulant medicines (blood thinners, such as warfarin, Coumadin®, Jantoven®).

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Hemostatic

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Kcentra used for?

What form(s) does Kcentra come in

  • Injectable

What are common Kcentra doses?

  • Box 1 kit

Common Kcentra prescriptions

  • Kcentra
    1 kit box

How to take Kcentra

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

What to do if you miss a dose of Kcentra

Kcentra contraindications

  • You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to prothrombin complex or similar products that affect how your blood clots (such as heparin, protein C, antithrombin III, or albumin). You should not receive this medicine if you have a blood clotting disorder or thrombocytopenia caused by heparin.

Kcentra warnings

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

  • This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses to people who have received them, although the risk is low. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep the transmission risk low. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about this risk.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf)

  • Severe nausea and vomiting

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have had a stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or any other heart or blood clot problem in the last 3 months. This medicine may increase your risk of blood clots. Tell your doctor right away if you have a sudden or severe headache, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling or tenderness in your leg, or numbness or weakness.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of congestive heart failure.

Kcentra interactions

  • This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses to people who have received them, although the risk is low. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep the transmission risk low. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about this risk.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have had a stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or any other heart or blood clot problem in the last 3 months. This medicine may increase your risk of blood clots. Tell your doctor right away if you have a sudden or severe headache, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling or tenderness in your leg, or numbness or weakness.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of congestive heart failure.

Kcentra side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf)

  • Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest

  • Severe nausea and vomiting

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood

  • Fast or uneven heartbeat

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Joint or muscle pain

  • Mild headache

  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed