Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) is used to thin mucus in the lungs and improve breathing in people with cystic fibrosis. It comes as a solution that's used in a nebulizer (a device that changes liquid medication into a mist that you can breathe in). Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) doesn't have any known interactions with other medications. Throat pain, chest pain, and a change in voice are common side effects of this medication. The brand name is Pulmozyme and the generic name is dornase alfa.
Improve lung function in children and adults with cystic fibrosis
Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) is a mucolytic. It breaks down DNA that builds up to cause thick mucus in the lungs. This makes the mucus thinner, looser, and easier to cough up, so that you can breathe better.
Source:Â DailyMed
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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Body aches or pain
congestion
dryness or soreness of the throat
hoarseness
tender, swollen glands in the neck
trouble breathing
trouble swallowing
voice changes
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:
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.
Works well to thin the mucus in your lungs and help clear your airways
Recommended treatment option for people with cystic fibrosis
Can be used by both children and adults
Must be used with certain nebulizer machines
Might be inconvenient when traveling since unused vials should be kept cold in their original foil pouch
Sometimes can cause hoarseness or changes in your voice
Inhale Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) through the mouth with a nebulizer machine. There are different types of machines and they all work a little differently. Make sure you follow your provider's instructions on how to use it correctly.
Never mix Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) with other medications or liquids in the nebulizer. This is because they might react with each other and cause both to not work as well.
Store Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) in the original foil pouch in the fridge until ready to use. Protect it from light.
When traveling, try to keep your Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) cool. It can be left at room temperature for a total of 24 hours. After this time, throw it away.
Squeeze each Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) ampule before opening to check for leaks. If the ampule is leaking, or if the solution looks cloudy or discolored, throw it away and use a new one.
If you're also taking bronchodilator, such as albuterol (Ventolin, ProAir) or levalbuterol (Xopenex), it's best to use the bronchodilator first, 15 to 30 minutes before using Pulmozyme (dornase alfa). Bronchodilator medications help open up the airways, which makes it easier for other medications to get into the lungs.
Do your chest physical therapy right after taking Pulmozyme (dornase alfa), while your mucus is still thin and easier to move out of your airways.
The typical dose is one 2.5 mg ampule (vial) inhaled once daily using a nebulizer device. Your healthcare provider might raise your dose to 2.5 mg twice a day depending on your response to the medication.
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.
Allergy to medications made from Chinese Hamster Ovary cells
Improve lung function in children and adults with cystic fibrosis
Mucus buildup caused by lung problems like emphysema, infection, or cystic fibrosis
To help thin mucus to make it easier to cough it up - Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) 3% and above
To moisten airways and help in breathing - Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) 0.9%
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Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (n.d.). Bronchodilators.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (n.d.). Chronic medications to maintain lung health clinical care guidelines.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (n.d.). Mucus thinners.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (n.d.). Nebulizer care at home.
Genentech USA, Inc. (n.d.). How Pulmozyme works to fight cystic fibrosis (CF).
Genentech USA, Inc. (n.d.). Preparing for CF treatment with Pulmozyme.
Genentech USA, Inc. (n.d.). Pulmozyme FAQs.
Genentech USA, Inc. (n.d.). Pulmozyme is an important part of a multitherapy approach to treating CF.
Genentech, Inc. (2020). Pulmozyme- dornase alfa solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Sharker, S. M., et al. (2021). A review on the current methods of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells cultivation for the production of therapeutic protein. Current Drug Discovery Technologies.
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