Generic Name: pegloticase (peg LOE ti kase)
Brand Names: Krystexxa
What is pegloticase?
Pegloticase is an enzyme that metabolizes uric acid into a harmless chemical that is eliminated from the body in urine.
Pegloticase is used to treat chronic gout. Pegloticase is usually given after other gout medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Pegloticase may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about pegloticase?
You should not receive pegloticase if you are allergic to it, or if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).
To make sure you can safely receive pegloticase, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure.
You may be given other medications to prevent certain side effects of pegloticase. You may need to start taking these medications at least a week before you receive your pegloticase injection. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel itchy, nervous, light-headed, short of breath, or have a fast heartbeat, chest discomfort, or redness of your skin when the medicine is injected into your vein.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pegloticase?
You should not receive pegloticase if you are allergic to it, or if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).
To make sure you can safely take pegloticase, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
congestive heart failure;
other heart problems; or
high blood pressure.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether pegloticase will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether pegloticase passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using pegloticase.
How should I take pegloticase?
Pegloticase is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Pegloticase must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take at least 2 hours to complete.
You may be given other medications to prevent certain side effects of pegloticase. You may need to start taking these medications at least a week before you receive your pegloticase injection. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.
Pegloticase is usually given once every 2 weeks. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
When you first start using pegloticase, you may have an increase in gout flares. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 months of treatment.
Your doctor may recommend other gout medications during the first 6 months of your treatment with pegloticase.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with pegloticase. Visit your doctor regularly.
See also: Pegloticase dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since pegloticase is given by a healthcare professional, you are not likely to miss a dose.
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 taking pegloticase?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Pegloticase side effects
Some people receiving a pegloticase injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Infusion reactions may also occur after the injection is given. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel itchy, nervous, light-headed, short of breath, or have a fast heartbeat, chest discomfort, or redness of your skin during the injection. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
chest pain; or
flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
Less serious side effects may include:
new gout flares;
nausea, vomiting, constipation;
easy bruising; or
stuffy nose, sore throat.
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.
Pegloticase Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Gout:
The recommended dose and regimen of pegloticase for adult patients is 8 mg given as an intravenous infusion every two weeks.
The pegloticase admixture should only be administered by intravenous infusion over no less than 120 minutes via gravity feed, syringe type pump, or infusion pump.
Patients should receive preinfusion medications (e.g. antihistamines, corticosteroids), to minimize the risk of anaphylaxis and infusion reactions. Pegloticase should be administered in a healthcare setting and by healthcare providers prepared to manage anaphylaxis and infusion reactions, and observe patients for an appropriate period of time after administration.
What other drugs will affect pegloticase?
There may be other drugs that can interact with pegloticase. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More pegloticase resources
- Pegloticase Side Effects (in more detail)
- Pegloticase Dosage
- Pegloticase Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Pegloticase Drug Interactions
- Pegloticase Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Pegloticase - Add your own review/rating
- pegloticase Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Pegloticase Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Pegloticase MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Pegloticase Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Krystexxa Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Krystexxa Consumer Overview
Compare pegloticase with other medications
- Gout
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about pegloticase.
See also: pegloticase side effects (in more detail)
No comments:
Post a Comment