Cerezyme

What is this drug and what is it used for?

Cerezyme contains the active substance imiglucerase and is used to treat patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Type I or Type 3 Gaucher disease, who show signs of the disease such as:
anaemia (low number of red blood cells), a tendency to bleed easily (due to low numbers of platelets –a type of blood cell), spleen or liver enlargement or bone disease.

How is this drug given?

Instructions for proper use
Cerezyme is given through a drip into a vein (by intravenous infusion).
It is supplied as a powder which will be mixed with sterile water before it is given.
Your dose will be specific to you. Your doctor will work out your dose based on how severe your symptoms are, and other factors. The recommended dose is 60 units/kg body weight given once every 2 weeks.

Possible side effects

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Breathlessness
• Coughing
• Hives/ localised swelling of the skin or lining of the mouth or throat
• Itching
• Rash

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Dizziness
• Headache
• A sensation of tingling, pricking, burning or numbness of the skin
• Increased heart rate
• Bluish skin
• Flushing
• Fall in blood pressure
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhoea
• Pain in the joints
• Infusion site discomfort
• Infusion site burning
• Infusion site swelling
• Injection site sterile abscess
• Chest discomfort
• Fever
• Rigors
• Fatigue
• Backache