Alglucosidase alfa contains an enzyme that naturally occurs in the body in healthy people. Some
people lack this enzyme because of a genetic disorder. Alglucosidase alfa helps replace this missing
enzyme in such people.
Alglucosidase alfa is used to treat a glycogen storage disorder called Pompe disease, (also
called GAA deficiency).
Alglucosidase alfa may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to alglucosidase alfa.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
heart disease;
lung disease or breathing disorder;
if you are allergic to mice, hamsters, or drug products made
with "murine" proteins.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether alglucosidase alfa passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
Alglucosidase alfa is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive
this injection with an infusion pump in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly
through an IV infusion, and can take up to 4 hours to complete.
This medication is usually given every 2 weeks.
Before each injection, tell your doctor if you have recently been sick with a cold, flu, or
other illness.
Your name may need to be listed on a patient registry for people with Pompe disease when you
start using this medication.
What happens if I miss a dose of alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
Your pharmacist has information about alglucosidase alfa (injection) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
Some people receiving an injection of alglucosidase alfa have had a reaction to the infusion
(when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated,
light-headed, sweaty, itchy, or have a fast heartbeat, cold hands, blue lips, tightness in your chest or
throat, wheezing, or trouble breathing during the injection.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
fast, slow, or uneven heartbeats;
weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop);
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling;
ongoing cough with heaviness in your chest;
tremors or shaking;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
muscle weakness; or
skin ulcers.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
headache;
fever;
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
pain or fullness in your ear;
runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough; or
feeling irritable or agitated.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to mice, hamsters, or drug
products made with "murine" proteins.
Alglucosidase alfa is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive
this injection with an infusion pump in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly
through an IV infusion, and can take up to 4 hours to complete.
This medication is usually given every 2 weeks.
Some people receiving an injection of alglucosidase alfa have had a reaction to the infusion
(when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated,
light-headed, sweaty, itchy, or have a fast heartbeat, cold hands, blue lips, tightness in your chest or
throat, wheezing, or trouble breathing during the injection.
What should I avoid while taking alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while receiving alglucosidase alfa unless
your doctor has told you otherwise.
What other drugs will affect alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
There may be other drugs that can affect alglucosidase alfa. Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling
your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of alglucosidase alfa (injection)?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009