What is it and how is it used?
Aldurazyme is used to treat patients with MPS I disease (Mucopolysaccharidosis I). It is given to treat the non-neurological manifestations of the disease.
People with MPS I disease have either a low level or no level of an enzyme called α-L-iduronidase, which breaks down specific substances (glycosaminoglycans) in the body. As a result, these substances do not get broken down and processed by the body as they should. They accumulate in many tissues in the body, which causes the symptoms of MPS I.
Aldurazyme is an artificial enzyme called laronidase. This can replace the natural enzyme which is lacking in MPS I disease.
What do you have to consider before using it?
Do not use Aldurazyme
If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients of Aldurazyme or if you have experienced a severe allergic reaction to laronidase.
Take special care with Aldurazyme
If you are treated with Aldurazyme, you may develop infusion-associated reactions. An infusion-associated reaction is any side effect occurring during the infusion or until the end of the infusion day (see 4 “Possible Side Effects”). Some of these reactions may be severe. When you experience such a reaction, you should immediately contact your doctor.
If these reactions occur, the Aldurazyme infusion should be stopped immediately and appropriate treatment will be started by your doctor.
These reactions may be particularly severe if you have a pre-existing MPS I-related upper airway obstruction.
You may be given additional medication such as antihistamines and paracetamol to help prevent allergic-type reactions.
Using other medicines
Please inform your doctor if you use medicines containing chloroquine or procaine, due to a possible risk of decreasing the action of Aldurazyme.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
There is not enough experience of the use of Aldurazyme in pregnant women. Aldurazyme should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
It is not known whether Aldurazyme appears in breast milk. It is recommended to stop breast-feeding during treatment with Aldurazyme. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
The effects on the ability to drive and to use machines have not been studied.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Aldurazyme
This medicinal product contains 1.29 mmol sodium per vial. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
How is it used?
Instruction for use - dilution and administration
The concentrate for solution for infusion has to be diluted before administration and is for intravenous use (see information for health care professionals).
Administration of Aldurazyme should be carried out in an appropriate clinical setting where resuscitation equipment to manage medical emergencies would be readily available.
Dosage
The recommended dosage regimen of Aldurazyme is 100 U/kg body weight given once every week as an intravenous infusion. The initial infusion rate of 2 U/kg/h may be gradually increased every fifteen minutes, if tolerated, to a maximum of 43 U/kg/h. The total volume of the administration should be delivered in approximately 3-4 hours.
If you forget to use Aldurazyme
If you have missed an Aldurazyme infusion, please contact your doctor.
If you use more Aldurazyme than you should
No case of overdose of Aldurazyme has been reported.
What are possible side effects?
Like all medicines, Aldurazyme can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Side effects were mainly seen while patients were being given the medicine or shortly after (infusion-associated reactions). If you experience any reaction like this, please tell your doctor immediately. The number of these reactions decreased the longer that patients were on Aldurazyme. The majority of these reactions were mild or moderate in intensity. However, a few patients who had a prior history of severe MPS I related upper airway and pulmonary involvement, experienced severe reactions including bronchospasm, respiratory arrest, and swelling of the face.
The following side effects have been reported:
Very common (occurring in more than 1 in 10 patients)
Common (occurring in more than 1 in 100 patients and less than 1 in 10 patients)
Unknown frequency
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How should it be stored?
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Aldurazyme after the expiry date which is stated on the label after the letters EXP.
Unopened vials:
Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C).
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
