Velaglucerase alfa (Intravenous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 7, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- VPRIV
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Enzyme Replacement
Pharmacologic Class: Enzyme
Uses for velaglucerase alfa
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.
Velaglucerase alfa is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using velaglucerase 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 velaglucerase alfa, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to velaglucerase 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 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.
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 velaglucerase alfa
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child velaglucerase alfa in a hospital or clinic. Velaglucerase alfa is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
You or your child may also receive medicines to help prevent unwanted effects from the injection.