Uses
Pegloticase injection is used to treat ongoing gout (sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling in one or more joints caused by abnormally high levels of a substance called uric acid in the blood) in adults who cannot take or did not respond to other medications.
Pegloticase injection is in a class of medications called PEGylated uric acid-specific enzymes. It works by decreasing the amount of uric acid in the body. The injection is used to prevent gout attacks but not to treat them once they occur.
Side Effects Of Pegloticase Injection
Pegloticase injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- constipation
- bruising
- sore throat
Pegloticase injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving pegloticase injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pegloticase, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: allopurinol (Aloprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using the injection, call your doctor.
Dosage Of Pegloticase Injection
Pegloticase injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or clinic. It is usually given once every 2 weeks. It will take at least 2 hours for you to receive your dose of the injection.
It may take several months before the injection begins to prevent gout attacks. Pegloticase injection may increase the number of gout attacks during the first 3 months of your treatment. Your doctor may prescribe another medication such as colchicine or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to prevent gout attacks during the first six months of your treatment. Continue to receive the injection even if you have gout attacks during your treatment.
Pegloticase injection controls gout but does not cure it. Continue to receive the injections even if you feel well. Do not stop receiving pegloticase injections without talking to your doctor.
Other
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about pegloticase injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
