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Zemaira Coupon - Zemaira 1000mg vial

Zemaira

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

Zemaira is an alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (also known as alpha-1 PI). It's an enzyme replacement that's used as augmentation therapy to help with lung problems (emphysema) in adults with a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Zemaira is given as an infusion into the veins (IV) once a week. It's typically administered by a trained healthcare provider. Side effects can include headache, sinus infection, and common cold symptoms.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on January 2, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsContraindicationsAlternativesImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Zemaira?

What is Zemaira used for?

How Zemaira works

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a genetic condition that causes people to have little to no AAT in the 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.

Zemaira is an enzyme replacement therapy. It helps replace missing AAT in the body to protect the lungs.

Are you looking for information on Glassia (alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor), Prolastin-C Liquid (alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor), or Aralast NP (alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsZemaira
Drug ClassEnzyme replacement therapy
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Zemaira?

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

  • Headache (20%)
  • Sinus infection (15%)
  • Upper respiratory infection (15%)
  • Bronchitis (8%)
  • Weakness (8%)
  • Cough (8%)
  • Fever (6%)
  • Bleeding at injection site (6%)
  • Runny nose (6%)
  • Sore throat (6%)

Other Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Chills
  • Dizziness
  • Flushing

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 Zemaira

thumbs-up

Pros

Helps replace missing AAT in your body

Only need to take once a week

Can be given at home

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 by a healthcare provider

Doesn't cure AAT deficiency

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Zemaira

pharmacist

  • Make sure to mark your calendar with your appointments to see your provider and when your Zemaira once-weekly infusions are due. Going to your follow-up appointments and getting your infusions on time will help make sure that your treatment is on track and that you don't miss any doses.

    • You might feel dizzy during or shortly after your Zemaira infusion. Make sure to rest for a little while right after each infusion. Sit or lie down until any dizziness goes away. Be sure to hold onto something stable as you slowly stand up when you feel like you're ready to.

      • Allergic reactions or other infusion-related reactions are possible during or after your Zemaira 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.

        faqs

        Frequently asked questions about Zemaira

        How long is Zemaira good after reconstitution?
        Zemaira is good for 3 hours after reconstitution. This medication comes as vials of powder. The powder must be reconstituted (mixed) with sterile water to make a solution that can then be infused into your vein. Zemaira doesn't contain any preservatives, so bacteria might start to grow in the solution if it hasn't been used for some time. You'll need to have a new dose prepared if the solution isn't used for your infusion within 3 hours of mixing.
        How do you administer Zemaira at home?
        Zemaira isn't a medication that you can give to yourself at home. It's administered as an infusion into the veins (IV) by a healthcare provider, typically at either a provider's office or infusion center. But you might have the option to arrange for a trained nurse to make home visits and give infusions to you at home. The healthcare providers are trained to properly and safely prepare your Zemaira dose and infuse the medication (each infusion typically takes about 15 minutes). They'll also closely watch for any allergic or infusion reactions. Ask your provider if you have specific questions about what to expect on the days of your Zemaira infusions.
        Does Zemaira 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. Zemaira helps raise the AAT levels in the body to manage your condition and protect your lungs from damage (emphysema). Treatment with Zemaira is called augmentation therapy and is typically lifelong.
        Can I take Zemaira 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 Zemaira and whether the medication is right for you. Zemaira 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 Zemaira and Prolastin infusion?
        Both Zemaira and Prolastin-C Liquid (also simply known as Prolastin) are brand-name medications that contain the same active ingredient, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. These two medications are very similar to each other. Both are given as once-weekly infusions through the vein with the help of a trained healthcare provider. Studies found that the different brands of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor are safe and work just as well as each other. The main difference between these two brands in particular is that Prolastin-C Liquid is available as a liquid that's ready for infusion, whereas Zemaira is a powder that needs to be mixed before it can be administered. Discuss with your provider about which brand is right for you.
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        warings-icon

        What are the risks and warnings for Zemaira?

        Zemaira 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 | Allergic reaction to other alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor brands

          Your providers will closely watch for any allergic reactions to Zemaira during treatment. Your providers will decide whether Zemaira is safe for you if you've previously had an allergic reaction to other alpha-1 proteinase inhibitors.

          Zemaira can contain a tiny amount of immunoglobulin A (IgA), which is a type of protein that's naturally found in the body. You can also be at risk for severe allergic reactions if you have IgA deficiency with antibodies against IgA.

          Let your provider know right away or get emergency medical help if you have any signs of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, such as hives, itching, swelling in the mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing, wheezing, or feeling faint. 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 Zemaira 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 Zemaira 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

          Zemaira dosage forms

          Typical dosing for Zemaira

          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 Zemaira and other drugs

          Zemaira 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 Zemaira. 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

          Zemaira 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 Zemaira will not be safe for you to take.
          alternatives

          What are alternatives to Zemaira?

          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Zemaira. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
          Zemaira
          Used for:
          View Prices
          Glassia
          Used for:
          View Prices
          Prolastin
          Used for:
          View Prices
          images

          Zemaira images

          white - Zemaira 1000mg Powder for Injection
          This medicine is White Vial.white - Zemaira 1000mg Powder for Injection

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          References

          Best studies we found

          American Lung Association. (2023). Treating and managing alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

          CSL Behring LLC. (2024). Zemaira- alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor human [package insert]. DailyMed.

          Li, Z. (2022). Comparative biochemical efficacy analysis of an alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (Glassia) in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

          View All References (9)

          Losseff, M. S., et al. (2010). Alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor (human). Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

          MedlinePlus. (2022). Selective deficiency of IgA.

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

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

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

          Zemaira. (n.d.). Discover an Alpha-1 therapy designed with you in mind.

          Zemaira. (n.d.). What is alpha-1?

          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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