Description
Velaglucerase alfa injection is used to treat type 1 Gaucher's disease. This disease is caused by the lack of a certain enzyme, glucocerebrosidase, in the body. This enzyme is necessary for the body to use fats correctly, and fats will build up in certain areas of the body if the enzyme is not present. Velaglucerase alfa replaces the missing enzyme to help the body process fats.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Powder for Solution
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 velaglucerase alfa injection in children 4 to 17 years of age. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 4 years of age.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of velaglucerase alfa injection in the elderly.
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.
Proper Use
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital or clinic. This medicine is given through an IV catheter that is placed into one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so the IV will need to stay in place for at least 60 minutes. It is usually given every other week.
You or your child may also receive other medicines (eg, allergy medicine, steroids) before starting treatment with this medicine.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, skin rash, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
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
- Body aches or pain
- cough
- dizziness
- ear congestion
- facial swelling
- fever or chills
- headache
- loss of voice
- nausea or vomiting
- skin rash
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Blurred vision
- bone pain
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- nervousness
- pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
- pounding in the ears
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sweating
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
- Back pain
- joint pain
- lack or loss of strength
- stomach pain
Less common
- Feeling of warmth
- hives or welts
- itching
- redness of the skin
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
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.
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