Pegademase (bovine), Injection peg-A-de-mase BOH-vyn

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: enzyme replacement therapy

Generic and brand names: pegademase (bovine), injection; Adagen

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) to replace the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA), which helps increase white blood cells and decrease the risk of infection in people with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID). It is used in people who are not candidates for or have failed bone marrow transplant. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any medicines
• a blood disorder or bleeding problem
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or steroid medicine

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Often you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have them and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use them only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions.

These shots are normally given in the thigh muscle, the upper arms or the buttocks. Your healthcare provider will determine which muscle sites you can use and the exact dosage of the medicine.

Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Do not use the medicine if it is discolored or has particles in it.

Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:

1. Select an injection site. To lessen irritation, choose a different spot and alternate the side used to give the shot each day.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot. Let the skin dry and avoid touching the area after you clean it.
3. Hold the syringe at a 90° angle to the muscle (straight up and down with the needle pointed toward the muscle).
4. With the other hand, hold the muscle firmly.
5. Insert the needle straight into the skin with a quick, firm motion. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
6. Gently pull back on the plunger of the syringe. If no blood appears, inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger until the syringe is empty. If blood appears when you pull back on the plunger, withdraw the needle and syringe and gently press the alcohol swab on the injection site. Start over with a fresh needle.
7. After you have given yourself the medicine, withdraw the needle quickly, at the same angle it was inserted, and press the alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
8. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What if I miss a dose?

Try not to miss a dose. If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

It is important to follow the treatment schedule exactly as your healthcare provider has instructed. Use the medicine for as long as prescribed. It may take several weeks until you start to feel better. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may get a serious infection if you stop taking the medicine too soon.

You will need to have blood tests regularly while receiving this medicine. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue or throat; trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, fatigue, sore throat that does not go away.

Other: Headache; redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

If you are not sure if your child's medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat your child about all the products your child is taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not use the medicine if it is cloudy or has particles floating in it.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.