Type of medicine: enzyme replacement therapy
Generic and brand names: velaglucerase alfa, injection; VPRIV
This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat the symptoms of Gaucher's disease (lack of certain enzymes). This treatment is called long-term enzyme replacement therapy.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
The infusions are given by your healthcare provider. How much medicine you need and how often you receive it depends on how severe the disease is and how you respond to the medicine. Keep all your appointments for the infusions.
This medicine will not cure your disease but will help control it. You may need to take this medicine for the rest of your life.
This medicine may cause allergic reactions or infusion-related reactions such as headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, weakness, or fever. Most reactions are mild, happen mostly in the first 6 months of therapy, and may decrease over time. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. 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.
Along with its needed effects, your 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 cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious: Infusion-related reactions such as headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, weakness, or fever; fast heartbeat.
Other: Discomfort, burning, or swelling at the spot where injections are given; slight fever or chills; dizziness; stomach pain; nausea; headache; joint pain; back pain; cough; runny nose; flushing; rash.
No significant interactions have been reported.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
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.
