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Glassia

alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor
Used for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Used for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Glassia is an alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (also known as alpha-1 PI). It's an enzyme replacement that's used as augmentation therapy to manage lung problems (emphysema) in adults with a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Glassia is given as an infusion into the veins (IV) once a week. Side effects aren't common, but can include headache and common cold symptoms.

Last reviewed on January 3, 2024
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What is Glassia?

What is Glassia used for?

How Glassia works

People with alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency have little to no AAT in their body. AAT, also known as alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor, is an enzyme that your body normally makes to help protect the lungs from damage. Without enough AAT, there's a higher risk for lung problems, like emphysema.

Glassia is an enzyme replacement therapy. It helps restore the levels of AAT in the body to help protect the lungs.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsGlassia
Drug ClassEnzyme replacement therapy
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Glassia?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Side effects reported by people within the first 3 months of starting Glassia:

Other Side Effects

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe allergic reaction: anaphylaxis, hives, itching, swelling in the mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing, wheezing, feeling faint

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Bladder pain

bloody or cloudy urine

body aches or pain

chills

cough

difficult, burning, or painful urination

difficulty with breathing

ear congestion

fever

frequent urge to urinate

headache

loss of voice

lower back or side pain

runny or stuffy nose

sneezing

sore throat

unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blurred vision

chest pain

cough producing mucus

diarrhea

difficult or labored breathing

dizziness

feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness

flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck

general feeling of discomfort or illness

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle aches and pains

nausea

nervousness

noisy breathing

pounding in the ears

rapid weight gain

shivering

slow or fast heartbeat

sweating

tightness in the chest

tingling of the hands or feet

trouble sleeping

unusual weight gain or loss

vomiting

Incidence not known

Confusion

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

hives or skin rash

itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Feeling of warmth

itching skin

muscle or bone pain

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

sudden sweating

Rare

Back pain

bloating

change in taste

changes in vision

fever

loss of taste

pain

redness of the skin

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

swelling of the joints

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

welts

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Glassia

thumbs-up

Pros

Helps replace missing AAT in your body

Can be given by a provider, caregiver, or yourself

Only need to take once a week

Available as a liquid that's already mixed and ready to inject

thumbs-down

Cons

Not clear if it can slow the worsening of emphysema due to AAT deficiency

Needs to be given as an infusion into the vein

Might be difficult for some people to prepare and administer properly

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Glassia

pharmacist
  • Mark your once-weekly Glassia infusions, any blood work appointments, and visits to your provider in your calendar. This will help you and your provider keep track of your treatment.

    • You might experience an allergic reaction or infusion-related reaction during or after your Glassia infusion. Get medical help right away if you have any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction, including trouble breathing or rash, so you can get treated as soon as possible.

      How to infuse Glassia by yourself at home (if instructed by your provider):

      • Make sure you or your caregiver gets trained on how to prepare your dose and infuse Glassia into your vein properly and safely. Carefully read the instructions for use, and contact your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to use this medication.

        • Keep a treatment infusion log to help you and your provider keep track of your infusions. Write down the lot number of the vial you use, the time and date of your infusion, and any reactions that you have.

          • Store Glassia vials in the refrigerator and in the original container to protect them from light. The medication can also be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month, which might be helpful if you're traveling or if you don't have access to a refrigerator. Once the medication is at room temperature, don't put it back in the refrigerator.

            • When it's time for your Glassia infusion, take the medication out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature. Don't shake it or try to warm it up any other way because this can damage the medication.

              • Always check that the liquid inside the vial is clear and colorless to yellow-green before using it. It also might contain a few protein particles, which is normal. Don't use the vial if it's cloudy or if it has particles. Use a different vial if this happens.

                • After washing your hands and putting on gloves, follow your provider's instructions to prepare the Glassia vial(s). Your provider will also tell you whether you should infuse the medication directly from the vial(s) or put the medication into an empty sterile bag that's then infused.

                  • Use Glassia within 3 hours of preparing your dose. Don't use the medication if it's been more than 3 hours since you've prepared it. The medication doesn't contain any preservatives, so bacteria might start to grow in the solution if it hasn't been used for some time.

                    • For each Glassia infusion, use an infusion site that's different from the last time. This will help prevent bruising or irritation to your skin.

                      • Each Glassia vial is for a one-time use only. Throw away any unused solution, used syringes, and used needles by placing them in a sharps container or something made of heavy-duty plastic (e.g., laundry detergent bottle). This lowers the risk of needle-stick injuries. Don't throw them away in the trash. Visit the FDA's website to learn more about following your state regulations to dispose your sharps safely.

                        faqs

                        Frequently asked questions about Glassia

                        How long does a Glassia infusion take?
                        How long your Glassia infusion takes depends on the speed that the medication is infused through your veins (known as the infusion rate). And the infusion rate depends on your body weight. But in general, infusions typically take about 15 minutes. Your provider might slow the infusion rate if you're experiencing allergic or infusion-related reactions.
                        How do you give Glassia infusions?
                        Glassia is given as an infusion into the veins (IV) by a healthcare provider at a clinic or hospital. Depending on your comfort level and on discussions with your provider, you might also be able to infuse the medication by yourself at home. If this is the case, your provider will train you or your caregiver on how to prepare and infuse Glassia properly and safely. Review the instructions for use for Glassia, and ask your provider or pharmacist if you have more questions about how to give the infusions.
                        How often is Glassia given?
                        Glassia is given once per week. Because alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic problem, treatment with Glassia is typically lifelong. Your provider will probably have you take the medication as long as it's helping your condition and as long as you're not having significant side effects.
                        Does Glassia cure alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency?
                        No. There's no cure for alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, a genetic condition that happens when there's not enough AAT protein in the body to help protect the lungs from damage. Glassia helps raise the AAT levels in the body to manage your condition and protect your lungs from damage (emphysema). Treatment with Glassia is called augmentation therapy and is typically lifelong.
                        Can I take Glassia while pregnant or breastfeeding?
                        Speak to your provider if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your provider can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Glassia and whether the medication is right for you. Glassia hasn't been studied in people during pregnancy or while they're breastfeeding so it's not known how safe the medication is for expecting or breastfeeding mothers and their baby.
                        What's the difference between Aralast NP and Glassia?
                        Both Glassia and Aralast NP are brands that contain the same active ingredient, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. They're very similar to each other. Studies show that brands of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitors are safe and work just as well as each other. The main difference between them is that Glassia is available as a liquid that's ready to inject, whereas Aralast NP comes as a powder that needs to be mixed with a liquid. Discuss with your provider about which brand is right for you.
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                        What are the risks and warnings for Glassia?

                        Glassia can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                        risk-warning

                        Severe allergic reactions

                        • Risk factors: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency

                          Glassia might contain a tiny amount of immunoglobulin A (IgA), which is a type of protein that's naturally found in the body. People who have IgA deficiency can have antibodies against IgA. Having antibodies against IgA raises the risk of having an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, to Glassia.

                          Let your provider know right away or contact emergency medical help if you have any signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, itching, swelling in the mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing, wheezing, or feeling faint or lightheaded. Your provider might prescribe an epinephrine pen (EpiPen) for you to use in case of a severe allergic reaction.

                          risk-warning

                          Risk of infection

                          Because Glassia is made from human blood products, there's a risk that it might contain viruses and other germs that can make you sick. But your risk of infection is low since the donors of these blood products are carefully screened. Also, there are high manufacturing standards put into place to make sure the germs are killed or removed.

                          To prevent serious infections in the rare case that your doses of Glassia are affected, let your provider know right away if you start to feel sick or have symptoms, such as feeling confused and anxious or having trouble maintaining your balance.

                          dosage

                          Glassia dosage forms

                          Typical dosing for Glassia

                          The typical dose is 60 mg/kg of body weight, given as an infusion into the vein (intravenous or IV) once a week.

                          interactions

                          Interactions between Glassia and other drugs

                          Glassia may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Glassia. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                          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.

                          contraindications-icon

                          Glassia contraindications

                          Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Glassia will not be safe for you to take.
                          alternatives

                          What are alternatives to Glassia?

                          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Glassia. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                          Glassia
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                          References

                          Best studies we found
                          View All References (7)

                          MedlinePlus. (2022). Selective deficiency of IgA.

                          National Human Genome Research Institute. (2024). Antibody.

                          National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2023). Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

                          Patel, A., et al. (2023). Biochemistry, immunoglobulin A. StatPearls.

                          Takeda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2023). Glassia dosage and administration guide.

                          Takeda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2023). Glassia [package insert].

                          U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Safely using sharps (needles and syringes) at home, at work and on travel.

                          GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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