Lamzede
Lamzede (velmanase alfa or velmanase alfa-tycv) is the first and only medication approved to treat certain symptoms of a rare genetic problem called alpha-mannosidosis. It's infused into the veins every week by a healthcare provider. Lamzede (velmanase alfa) infusions might cause side effects, such as headache, body chills, fever, and joint pain.
What is Lamzede (velmanase alfa)?
What is Lamzede (velmanase alfa) used for?
- Treatment of certain symptoms of alpha-mannosidosis in adults and children
How Lamzede (velmanase alfa) works
Lamzede (velmanase alfa) is an enzyme replacement therapy. It acts like an enzyme (protein) called alpha-mannosidase. This enzyme is important for your body to break down certain types of sugars in your cells.
People with alpha-mannosidosis are missing alpha-mannosidase. Without alpha-mannosidase, harmful sugars build up in the cells, which cause tissue and organ damage. This leads to symptoms of alpha-mannosidosis, such as abnormal bone structure, physical disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.
By restoring alpha-mannosidase levels in the body, Lamzede (velmanase alfa) helps prevent sugars from building up in cells. This is thought to help improve certain symptoms of alpha-mannosidosis.
Drug facts
Side effects of Lamzede (velmanase alfa)
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
- Upper respiratory symptoms (66%)
- Fever (40%)
- Headache (33%)
- Joint pain (20%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Swollen tonsils
- Eye itching
- Ear infection
- Flu infection
- Stomach flu
- Urinary tract infection
- Feeling faint or fainting
- Toothache
- Back pain
- Allergic reactions
Lamzede (velmanase alfa) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis): difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat, hives, itching, fast heartbeat, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, swelling in the face or tongue
The following Lamzede (velmanase alfa) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Sore throat
Pros and cons of Lamzede (velmanase alfa)
Pros
- The first and only approved treatment for alpha-mannosidase
- Given once per week
Cons
- Only used for treating certain symptoms and isn't a cure for alpha-mannosidase
- Can cause allergic and infusion reactions
- Needs to be given by a healthcare professional
Pharmacist tips for Lamzede (velmanase alfa)
- Make sure to mark your appointments on your calendar for when you need to see your provider and get your Lamzede (velmanase alfa) doses. This helps you keep track of your appointments so you don't miss any doses. You'll typically receive an infusion every week.
- Each Lamzede (velmanase alfa) infusion will take at least 1 hour. It might take longer if you experience infusion reactions and your provider needs to temporarily stop or slow down the infusion. You can bring a book, something to work on, or an electronic device to keep yourself occupied while you receive Lamzede (velmanase alfa).
- If you accidentally miss an appointment for your Lamzede (velmanase alfa) dose, talk with your provider right away about rescheduling it. You can usually make up the missed dose as long as there are at least 3 days until your next scheduled dose.
- You might experience infusion-related reactions when you're treated with Lamzede (velmanase alfa). Let your provider know right away if you experience fever, chills, vomiting, cough, or rash during the infusion or even when you're already home. You might need more medical attention.
- Lamzede (velmanase alfa) can cause serious allergic reactions. This can happen even if you've safely received this medication before. If you experience any allergic reaction, such as hives, tightness in your throat, or trouble breathing, let your nurse know right away. They'll stop the Lamzede (velmanase alfa) infusion and give you medical attention right away.
- If you're a female who's able to have children, it's recommended that you use birth control during treatment with Lamzede (velmanase alfa) and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose. Let your provider know right away if you get pregnant while taking this medication. Lamzede (velmanase alfa) can potentially harm an unborn baby.
Common questions about Lamzede (velmanase alfa)
Alpha-mannosidosis can affect many parts of your body, causing symptoms like abnormal bone structure, vision or hearing problems, movement problems, enlarged organs, and intellectual disabilities. Lamzede (velmanase alfa) can help improve certain symptoms of the genetic condition. One study showed that Lamzede (velmanase alfa) improved physical ability (e.g., climb stairs, walk) and lung function in adults and children after 1 year of treatment.
Your provider will likely have you continue Lamzede (velmanase alfa) treatment as long as it's improving some symptoms of your alpha-mannosidosis condition and you don't have severe allergic or infusion reactions. Remember, alpha-mannosidosis is a genetic problem, and Lamzede (velmanase alfa) only treats symptoms; it isn't a cure. Talk with your provider about how long you need Lamzede (velmanase alfa) treatment.
No. Lamzede (velmanase alfa) is an IV infusion that's given only by a provider at an infusion center or a healthcare provider's office. This is because the provider has the proper resources, training, and technique to prepare and give the medication safely.
Your provider might give you certain medications to take before your infusion to help lower your risk for infusion reactions from Lamzede (velmanase alfa). These medications include corticosteroids, antihistamines, or medications to relieve fever. They might be prescribed for you to take at home before your Lamzede (velmanase alfa) dose, or you might receive these medications at your appointments. If you're prescribed these medications to take at home, make sure to take them about 30 minutes before your Lamzede (velmanase alfa) dose. That's typically the amount of time it takes for most of these medications to start working.
Based on findings from animal studies, Lamzede (velmanase alfa) can cause serious harm to an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. If you're a female who can have children, use birth control during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose of medication. Additionally, there's no information on how safe Lamzede (velmanase alfa) is during breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your provider about the risks and benefits of continuing Lamzede (velmanase alfa) treatment.
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for Lamzede (velmanase alfa)
Lamzede (velmanase alfa) 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.
Severe allergic reactions
Lamzede (velmanase alfa) can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Get medical attention right away if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, facial swelling, trouble breathing, tightness in your throat, and a fast heartbeat.
Infusion-related reactions
Lamzede (velmanase alfa) can cause infusion-related reactions. These reactions include fever, chills, skin redness, vomiting, cough, hives, rash, and eye redness. These reactions can happen during any Lamzede (velmanase alfa) infusion or after you've gone home. To lower your risk, your provider might give you pretreatment medications, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and corticosteroids. If you experience a reaction while you're getting an infusion, your provider might stop, pause, or slow the infusion. Get medical help immediately if you experience symptoms of a serious reaction, such as trouble breathing, tightness in your throat, hives and itching, and a fast heartbeat.
Risk of harm to unborn baby when taken during pregnancy
Based on animal studies, Lamzede (velmanase alfa) can potentially cause harm to an unborn baby (e.g., brain and other developmental problems) during pregnancy. If you're a female who's able to have children, your provider will ask you take a pregnancy test before you start Lamzede (velmanase alfa). You should use birth control during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose of medication. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, talk to your provider about the risks and benefits of using Lamzede (velmanase alfa) during pregnancy.
Lamzede (velmanase alfa) dosage
Typical dosage for Lamzede (velmanase alfa)
Your healthcare provider will calculate the right dose for you based on your body weight.
The typical dose is 1 mg/kg of body weight given as an infusion into the veins (intravenous or IV) once per week.
Lamzede (velmanase alfa) images
