Drug reference

Velaglucerase alfa

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 1147

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Drug Action

Velaglucerase alfa is an enzyme produced by recombinant DNA technology that is administered as enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of type I Gaucher’s disease.

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Indications And Dose

Type I Gaucher’s disease (specialist use only) ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: Initially 60 units/kg every 2 weeks; adjusted according to response to 15–60 units/kg every 2 weeks

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Safety

Side Effects

▶Common or very common Arthralgia. asthenia. chest Blood and nutrition discomfort. dizziness. dyspnoea. fever. ﬂushing. gastrointestinal discomfort. headache. hypersensitivity. hypertension. hypotension. infusion related reaction. nausea. pain. skin reactions. tachycardia SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Infusion-related reactions are very common; manage by slowing the infusion rate, or interrupting the infusion, or minimise by pre-treatment with an antihistamine, antipyretic, or corticosteroid—consult product literature.

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Pregnancy

Manufacturer advises use with caution— limited information available.

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Breast Feeding

Manufacturer advises use with caution— no information available.

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Monitoring Requirements

Monitor immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody concentration in severe infusion-related reactions or if there is a lack or loss of effect with velaglucerase alfa.

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Dose and formulations

Directions For Administration

For intravenous infusion (VPRIV ®), give intermittently in Sodium chloride 0.9%; reconstitute each 400-unit vial with 4.3 mL water for injections to produce a 100 units/mL solution; dilute requisite dose in 100 mL infusion ﬂuid; give over 60 minutes through a 0.22 micron ﬁlter; start infusion within 24 hours of reconstitution.

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Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Powder for solution for infusion ELECTROLYTES: May contain Sodium ▶VPRIV (Shire Pharmaceuticals Ltd) Velaglucerase alfa 400 unit VPRIV 400units powder for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £1,410.20 2.6 Homocystinuria METHYL DONORS

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Dose text by age group

Adult

Initially 60 units/kg every 2 weeks; adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1147

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Velaglucerase alfa

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 1147

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Drug Action

Velaglucerase alfa is an enzyme produced by recombinant DNA technology that is administered as enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of type I Gaucher’s disease.

PDF page 1147

Indications And Dose

Type I Gaucher’s disease (specialist use only) ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: Initially 60 units/kg every 2 weeks; adjusted according to response to 15–60 units/kg every 2 weeks

PDF page 1147

Safety

Side Effects

PDF page 1147

Pregnancy

Manufacturer advises use with caution— limited information available.

PDF page 1147

Breast Feeding

Manufacturer advises use with caution— no information available.

PDF page 1147

Monitoring Requirements

Monitor immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody concentration in severe infusion-related reactions or if there is a lack or loss of effect with velaglucerase alfa.

PDF page 1147

Dose and formulations

Directions For Administration

PDF page 1147

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 1147

Dose text by age group

Adult

Initially 60 units/kg every 2 weeks; adjusted

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1147

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.