Taliglucerase alfa (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 1, 2021.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Elelyso

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Enzyme Replacement

Pharmacologic Class: Enzyme

Uses for taliglucerase alfa

Taliglucerase alfa injection is used for the long-term treatment of type 1 Gaucher disease. This disease is caused by the lack of a certain enzyme in the body called glucocerebrosidase. 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. Taliglucerase alfa replaces the missing enzyme to help the body process fats.

Taliglucerase alfa is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Before using taliglucerase alfa

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 taliglucerase alfa, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to taliglucerase alfa 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 have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of taliglucerase alfa injection in children younger than 4 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of taliglucerase 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.

Interactions with medicines

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.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

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 of taliglucerase alfa

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child taliglucerase alfa in a hospital or clinic. Taliglucerase alfa is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Taliglucerase alfa is usually given every other week. Each treatment usually takes 60 to 120 minutes.

You or your child may also receive medicines to help prevent unwanted effects from the injection.