General Information on Pulmozyme
Pulmozyme is a drug used to treat patients suffering from cystic fibrosis. The generic name of Pulmozyme is dornase alfa. Generally, Pulmozyme is used for curing breathing difficulties and preventing the risk of lung infections, if any. It is a prescription drug, which means you can only buy Pulmozyme if it has been prescribed by your doctor.
The main component of Pulmozyme is rhDNase, or recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I. It is an enzyme that is responsible for breaking down the DNA that causes thick mucus formation. RhDNase is produced via genetic engineering of the CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cells that have the same DNA encoding as the human deoxyribonuclease I (Dnase).
Pulmozyme must only be used as prescribed to attain the right results. If you are not clear about how you need to use Pulmozyme, consult your doctor or pharmacist and ask him/her for directions after you buy Pulmozyme.
Side Effects of Pulmozyme
Pulmozyme has been tested on many patients in clinical trials that went on for 12 months. The possible side effects that were observed as a result of these trials include the following:
- Chest pain
- Allergic reactions leading to choking of the throat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, face or tongue, and hives.
- Changes in or hoarseness of the voice
- Redness or inflammation in eyes
- Laryngitis
- Rashes or other skin allergies
- Fever
- Sore Throat
- Nasal discharge
- Sinus Inflammation
- Indigestion
In case you experience any of the above side effects, it is advisable to stop the intake of Pulmozyme and consult your physician immediately.
There may be some allergic reactions following the regular administration of Pulmozyme. Of all the patients who underwent clinical trials, only a small percentage of patients indicated symptoms of mild urticarial, while no cases of anaphylaxis have been recorded till date.
This may not be the complete list of side effects. To know more, consult your healthcare provider or refer to the patient information leaflet of Pulmozyme.
Dosage of Pulmozyme
For patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, a regular administration of Pulmozyme along with other medications is advisable. Daily administration of Pulmozyme is also known to minimize the chances of any respiratory tract infections.
In most cases of cystic fibrosis, the normal dosage administered is a single 2.5 mg ampule to be inhaled once a day using a nebulizer which is recommended by your physician.
While taking Pulmozyme a few precautionary measures are to be kept in mind. Pulmozyme should not be mixed be any other drug or diluted while in the nebulizer. Doing so may lead to adverse functional and chemical changes in Pulmozyme. This might have adverse effects on the health of the patient.
It is also advisable to check Pulmozyme for any leaks before using it.
Interactions
Pulmozyme is not known to interact with any major drugs. Clinical trials have indicated that it is safe to use Pulmozyme in sync with other therapies like analgesics, enzyme supplements, vitamins, parenteral antibiotics, and inhaled or oral corticosteroids used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
