avalglucosidase alfa
What is the most important information I should know about avalglucosidase alfa?
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, chest discomfort, wheezing, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling in your face, pale skin, and blue lips or fingernails.
What is avalglucosidase alfa?
Avalglucosidase alfa helps replace an enzyme that is missing in people with a genetic disorder called late-onset Pompe disease, (also called GAA deficiency) in children at least 1 year old.
Avalglucosidase alfa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving avalglucosidase alfa?
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart disease; or
- lung disease or breathing problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Having untreated Pompe disease during pregnancy may increase your risk of worsened breathing problems and joint or muscle problems. The benefit of treating Pompe disease may outweigh any risks.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
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 avalglucosidase alfa.
How is avalglucosidase alfa given?
Avalglucosidase is injected into a vein by a healthcare provider, usually once every 2 weeks.
This medicine must be given slowly over 4 to 5 hours.
You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects or allergic reaction. Keep taking these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your avalglucosidase alfa injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while receiving avalglucosidase alfa?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What are the possible side effects of avalglucosidase alfa?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some reactions may occur during the injection, or within a few hours afterward. Tell your medical caregiver or get emergency medical help right away if you have:
- wheezing, cough, chest discomfort, trouble breathing;
- pale skin, blue lips or fingernails;
- swelling in your tongue;
- trouble swallowing;
- dizzines, nausea;
- rash; or
- flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
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, chest discomfort, wheezing, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling in your face, pale skin, and blue lips or fingernails.
Common side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness, feeling tired;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- itching, rash, redness;
- muscle or joint pain;
- trouble breathing; or
- numbness, tingling, burning pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect avalglucosidase alfa?
Other drugs may affect avalglucosidase, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about avalglucosidase alfa.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.01. Revision date: 9/8/2021.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.