Imiglucerase (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 24, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Cerezyme

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Digestant

Pharmacologic Class: Enzyme

Uses for imiglucerase

Imiglucerase injection is used to treat type 1 Gaucher disease which may cause anemia (low number of red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low number of blood platelets), bone disease, or enlarged liver or spleen.

Imiglucerase is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using imiglucerase

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For imiglucerase, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to imiglucerase or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of imiglucerase injection in children younger than 2 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of imiglucerase injection in geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of imiglucerase

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you imiglucerase in a medical facility. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. The medicine must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for over 1 to 2 hours.

You may receive other medicines (eg, allergy medicine, steroid medicine) to help prevent allergic reactions to imiglucerase.