Pegloticase
Generic name: pegloticase [ peg-LOE-ti-kase ]
Brand name: Krystexxa
Dosage form: intravenous solution (8 mg/mL)
Drug class:Antihyperuricemic agents
What is pegloticase?
Pegloticase is an enzyme that metabolizes uric acid into a harmless chemical that is eliminated from the body in urine.
Pegloticase is used to treat chronic gout. Pegloticase is usually given after other gout medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Pegloticase may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not receive pegloticase if you are allergic to it, or if you have a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.
Tell your caregivers right away if you feel itchy, light-headed, short of breath, or have chest discomfort or skin redness during the injection.
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with pegloticase if you are allergic to it, or if you have a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with pegloticase. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:
allopurinol (Zyloprim); or
febuxostat (Uloric).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart problems; or
It is not known whether pegloticase will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
How should I take pegloticase?
Pegloticase is given as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 2 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 2 hours to complete.
You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects or an allergic reaction. Your doctor may also recommend other gout medications to use during the first 6 months of treatment with pegloticase. Keep using all medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.
When you first start using pegloticase, you may have an increase in gout flares.
Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 months of treatment.
