Myozyme Injection
Generic name:alglucosidase alfa (injection) [ AL-gloo-KOE-si-dase-AL-fa ]
Drug class:Lysosomal enzymes
The Myozyme brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.
What is Myozyme?
Myozyme 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.
Myozyme is used to treat a glycogen storage disorder called Pompe disease, (also called GAA deficiency) in adults and children.
Myozyme has been shown to improve ventilator-free survival in patients with infantile-onset Pompe disease.
Warnings
Some people receiving Myozyme have had serious allergic reactions during or shortly after infusion of this medicine. Tell your caregivers or get emergency medical help right away if you have any signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as itching, rash. redness or tingling, severe headache, feeling like you might pass out, fast or slow heart rate, wheezing, trouble breathing, pale skin, and blue lips or fingernails.
Before receiving Myozyme, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, lung disease or a breathing disorder, or if you are allergic to mice, hamsters, or drug products made with "murine" proteins.
Before each injection, tell your doctor if you have recently been sick with a cold, flu, or other illness. Some people receiving an injection of Myozyme have had a reaction to the infusion. This type of reaction can occur when the medicine is injected into the vein, or as long as 3 hours after the injection.
Before taking this medicine
To make sure Myozyme is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart disease; or
lung disease or breathing disorder.
Babies who develop Pompe disease in the first year of life may need specialized medical tests to improve treatment with Myozyme treatment.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
You should not breastfeed within 24 hours after receiving Myozyme. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.
Your name may be listed on the Pompe Registry. This is to track the progress of your disease and the outcome of your treatment with Myozyme.
How is Myozyme given?
Myozyme is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Myozyme must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 4 hours to complete.
This medicine is usually given once every 2 weeks.
Before each injection, tell your doctor if you have recently been sick with a cold, flu, or oth...
