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Alglucerase
Alglucerase
(al GLOO ser ase)
Dosage Forms
- This medicine is available as an injection.
Pharmacologic Category
- Enzyme
Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?
- Not if your child has an allergy to alglucerase or any other part of this medicine.
- Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
Why does my child need this medicine?
- This medicine is used to treat Gaucher's disease.
How does this medicine work?
- Alglucerase acts as an enzyme replacement.
How is this medicine given?
- This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.
- Diphenhydramine may be given before this medicine to decrease itching.
How long does this medicine take to work?
- It may take 1 year to see the full effect.
What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
- Call healthcare provider for appointment.
What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?
- Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
- If your child has lung disease, talk with healthcare provider. He/she may be more sensitive to this medicine.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
- Short-term discomfort after use.
- Fever, chills, itching, hives, chest pain or pressure, or shortness of breath during infusion.
- Headache.
What should I monitor?
- Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
- For the occurrence of side effects.
- Your child will be monitored closely by healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare provider.
When should I call my child's healthcare provider?
- If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.
- If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
- If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider or emergency department immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.
- If your child has chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
- If your child has difficulty breathing.
- If your child develops a rash.
- No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.
How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?
- This medicine will be given to your child in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
- If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.
- This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.
- This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.
- Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
- Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
- Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.
Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.
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