Idursulfase (intravenous route)
Available brands
Elaprase
About this medication
Idursulfase injection is used to treat Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis II, MPS II), a rare condition that is most often seen in males. Hunter syndrome is an inherited disease in which the breakdown of a certain chemical in the body (mucopolysaccharide) is defective due to the lack or absence of an enzyme called iduronate-2-sulfatase. Idursulfase improves signs and symptoms in patients, especially walking capacity, by replacing the missing enzyme in Hunter syndrome. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
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 this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of idursulfase injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 16 months of age. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of idursulfase injection in the geriatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. 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. 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. 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. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. This medicine is usually given one time each week. The medicine is given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for a few hours. You or your child may also receive medicines to help prevent possible allergic reactions to the injection.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.