Adagen

Generic Name: pegademase bovine (peg AD e mase BOE vine)
Brand Names: Adagen

Pegademase bovine is the enzyme called adenosine deaminase (ADA). Without ADA, certain proteins accumulate that harm white blood cells. White blood cells are important for protecting the body from infection.

Pegademase bovine is used to replenish ADA which allows an increase in white blood cells and decreases the risk of infection in conditions such as severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID).

Pegademase bovine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Before using pegademase bovine, tell your doctor if you

• are undergoing radiation or receiving chemotherapy; or

• have a bleeding disorder.

You may not be able to use pegademase bovine or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Use pegademase bovine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Pegademase bovine is given by intramuscular (IM) injection. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how and where to inject the medication.

Pegademase bovine is usually administered once every 7 days.

Properly store and discard all syringes and needles.

Your doctor may want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests while using pegademase bovine to monitor effectiveness and possible side effects of the medication.

Do not stop taking pegademase bovine without talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks to 6 months to be fully effective. Stopping pegademase bovine may cause your immune system to become less effective and serious infections may occur.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you miss a dose of this medication.

Symptoms of a pegademase bovine overdose are not known.

There are no restrictions regarding foods, beverages, or activities during treatment with pegademase bovine unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or

• signs of infection such as sore throat, fever or congestion.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use the pegademase bovine and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• headache;

• swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you

• are receiving vidarabine eye ointment (Vira-A).

You may not be able to use the pegademase bovine or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking the medication listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pegademase bovine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about pegademase bovine.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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