Lumizyme | Keeping Up with Treatment

When you have Pompe disease, your body does not produce enough of the acid alfa glucosidase (GAA) enzyme on its own. When administered by intravenous infusion every two weeks, Lumizyme^® (alglucosidase alfa) provides the body with an ongoing source of that enzyme. That’s why it’s very important that you follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding your Lumizyme therapy.

Lumizyme may not be the only aspect of your Pompe treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider before you add or stop taking any other medications, or make any other changes to your healthcare routines.

Scheduling Your Infusions

Regular Lumizyme infusions every two weeks as prescribed by your healthcare provider are an important part of your treatment program. If you must miss an infusion, talk to your healthcare provider about rescheduling the appointment as soon as possible.

Infusions are likely to be scheduled when you have work, school, or other obligations. If so, you may decide to inform your employer, teacher, or others about your Pompe disease and the importance of following your healthcare provider's recommendations for infusions. This is a personal decision that you might want to discuss with your healthcare provider. Online educational resources, patient organizations, and a CareConnectPSS^® Case Manager can also help you in preparing for these conversations.

Planning Ahead

If you will be traveling during your scheduled infusion or you are planning a permanent move, talk to your healthcare provider and a CareConnectPSS Case Manager about the potential for arranging an infusion at your destination or new home. Here are some other tips to keep in mind when traveling or moving:

Plan well in advance of travel or a move, to ensure enough time to find a qualified facility and arrange treatment
Check to see that your insurance will cover your care wherever necessary
Speak with your CareConnectPSS Case Manager if you need assistance with making arrangements

Learn more about CareConnectPSS

Indication

LUMIZYME^® (alglucosidase alfa) is an enzyme replacement therapy for patients with Pompe disease (acid α-glucosidase (GAA) deficiency).

Important Safety Information

WARNING: RISK OF ANAPHYLAXIS, HYPERSENSITIVITY AND IMMUNE-MEDIATED REACTIONS, AND RISK OF CARDIORESPIRATORY FAILURE

If you or your child is taking Lumizyme, you should know that severe and potentially life-threatening allergic-type reactions known as anaphylaxis, severe hypersensitivity reactions, and reactions related to the immune system may occur during and after Lumizyme treatment. These reactions may include extreme difficulty breathing, shallow breathing, abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, throat tightness, face and tongue swelling, kidney dysfunction, and severe skin lesions. You should seek immediate medical care if signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions, and immune system reactions occur. If such a reaction is severe enough, your doctor may decide to immediately discontinue the infusion and provide immediate medical care. Appropriate medical support measures may be administered during your infusion, and you may require close observation during and after Lumizyme administration.
If your child has compromised breathing or heart function due to Pompe disease, there may be a risk of acute worsening of heart and/or lung function with Lumizyme due to the fluid from the infusion, and your doctor may decide that close observation during and after Lumizyme administration may be necessary.

Warnings and Precautions

Anaphylaxis and Hypersensitivity Reactions: Life-threatening anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions have been observed in some patients during and after treatment with alglucosidase alfa. If such a reaction is severe enough, your doctor may decide to immediately discontinue the infusion and provide you with immediate medical care. Appropriate medical support and monitoring measures should be available during infusion.

Immune-Mediated Reactions: You or your child may be monitored for the development of systemic immune-mediated reactions while receiving Lumizyme. If these reactions occur, your doctor may discontinue the infusion and initiate appropriate medical treatment.

Risk of Acute Cardiorespiratory Failure: Infant Pompe patients with heart or breathing problems who are experiencing an acute respiratory condition may be at risk for increasing the seriousness of these problems as a result of Lumizyme administration due to the infusion fluid, and your child’s doctor may require additional monitoring for these infants.

Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmia and Sudden Cardiac Death during General Anesthesia for Central Venous Catheter Placement: Caution should be used when administering general anesthesia for the placement of a central venous catheter intended for Lumizyme infusion. Ventricular arrhythmias and slow heart rate resulting in cardiac arrest or death have been observed in infant Pompe patients with cardiac hypertrophy during general anesthesia for central venous catheter placement. Appropriate medical support and monitoring measures should be available during infusion.

Risk of Antibody Development: Patients with infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) should be managed by a clinical specialist knowledgeable in immune tolerance induction in Pompe disease to optimize treatment. Some patients who develop high and sustained IgG antibody levels, including certain IOPD patients, may have a reduced response to Lumizyme.

Monitoring: Laboratory Tests: Patients should be monitored for IgG antibody formation every 3 months for 2 years and then annually thereafter.

Adverse Reactions

The most frequently reported adverse reactions during Lumizyme studies in patients were allergy reactions and included: anaphylaxis, rash, fever, flushing/feeling hot, hives, headache, excessive sweating, nausea, cough, less oxygen in the blood, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, chest discomfort, dizziness, muscle twitching, agitation, bluish or purple skin, redness of skin, high blood pressure/increased blood pressure, facial paleness, chills, tremor, vomiting, fatigue, and muscle pain.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information for complete details, including boxed WARNING.