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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Other commonly used names are: rhDNase and DNase I .
Dornase alfa (DOR-nayse AL-fa) is used in the management of cystic fibrosis. It is used every day with other cystic fibrosis medicines, especially antibiotics, bronchodilators (medicines that open up narrowed breathing passages), and corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines).
Cystic fibrosis is a condition in which thick mucus is formed in the lungs and breathing passages. The mucus blocks the airways and increases the chance of lung infections. The infections then cause the mucus to become even thicker, making it more difficult to breathe.
Dornase alfa will not cure cystic fibrosis. However, when it is used every day, it helps make breathing easier and reduces the number of serious lung infections that require treatment with antibiotics.
Dornase alfa is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For dornase alfa, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dornase alfa. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Dornase alfa has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animals.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether dornase alfa passes into human breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children--Dornase alfa has been studied in children 3 months of age and older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults, although coughing, runny or stuffy nose, and skin rashes were more common in children 3 months to 5 years of age than in other age groups.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of dornase alfa in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines--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 health care
professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine. Dornase
alfa usually comes with patient instructions. Read them carefully before using
this medicine. Dornase alfa is packaged in small plastic containers called ampuls. Each
ampul contains one full dose of dornase alfa.
Do not use
an ampul that has already been opened. Also, do not use an ampul of this medicine
after the expiration date printed on the package
. Do not use dornase alfa solution if it is cloudy or
discolored
. Dornase alfa must be used in a nebulizer with a compressor
. Only the following nebulizers and compressors should be used with
this medicine:
Proper Use of This Medicine
Your health care professional will help you decide which nebulizer and compressor to use.
It is very important that you use dornase alfa only as directed . Use the mouthpiece provided with the nebulizer. Do not use a face mask with the nebulizer because less medicine will get into your lungs. Infants and chlidren unable to inhale and exhale through the mouth for the entire nebulizer treatment may use the PARI BABY nebulizer with the supplied face mask. Make sure you understand exactly how to use this medicine in the nebulizer .
In order to receive the full effects of this medicine, you must use it every day as ordered by your doctor . If possible, dornase alfa should be used at about the same time each day. You may notice some improvement in your condition within the first week of treatment. However, some patients may not feel the full effects of this medicine for weeks or months.
If you are taking any other medicines for cystic fibrosis, keep taking them as you did before you started using dornase alfa, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. However, do not put any other inhaled medicine in the nebulizer at the same time that you use dornase alfa . Other inhaled medicines may be used in a clean nebulizer before or after your treatment with dornase alfa.
To prepare the nebulizer for use :
To prepare the medicine for use in the nebulizer :
To use the medicine in the nebulizer :
After using dornase alfa :
Dosing--The dose of dornase alfa will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of dornase alfa. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed dose--If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage--To store this medicine:
If your condition becomes worse while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Chest pain or discomfort; hoarseness; sore throatLess common
Difficulty breathing; fever; redness, itching, pain, swelling, or other irritation of eyes; runny or stuffy nose; skin rash; upset stomachOther side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 07/24/97
Interim revision: 07/29/98
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