Description and Brand Names
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
US Brand Name
- Vimizim
Descriptions
Elosulfase alfa injection is used to treat patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type A (Morquio A syndrome).
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of elosulfase alfa injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 5 years of age.
Geriatric
Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of elosulfase alfa injection have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
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Fever or
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Lung or breathing problems (including sleep apnea)—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.
Proper Use
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
The medicine must be injected slowly, so your IV tube will need to stay in place for at least 3.5 to 4.5 hours, once a week. You may also receive medicines to help prevent possible allergic reactions to the injection.
Precautions
Your doctor will check your progress closely while you or your child are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are receiving this medicine.
Spinal or cervical cord compression (SCC) may occur while receiving this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness or weakness in the legs.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
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Chills
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cough
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difficulty with swallowing
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dizziness
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fast heartbeat
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fever
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puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
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skin rash, hives, or itching
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tightness in the chest
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unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
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Abdominal or stomach pain
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headache
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vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/elosulfase-alfa-intravenous-route/precautions/drg-20095148