Pulmozyme FAQs
Patients’ Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should take Pulmozyme® Inhalation Solution, and what does it do?
- I have CF, but I feel fine. Why should I consider treatment?
- How does Pulmozyme work?
- What are the possible side effects of Pulmozyme?
- Does everyone who has CF need to take Pulmozyme?
- Do I need to take Pulmozyme every day?
- Will I feel better immediately after taking Pulmozyme?
- How will Pulmozyme affect my other medicines?
- In what order should I take Pulmozyme and my other inhaled medicines?
- I have been taking Pulmozyme for awhile. Does it lose its effect over time?
- Can I use part of the Pulmozyme ampule and save some for later?
- How long does it take to nebulize (inhale) Pulmozyme?
- Which nebulizer/compressor should I use with Pulmozyme?
- Do I need to store Pulmozyme in a special way?
- What if I run out? How do I get more Pulmozyme?
- How do I know if the ampule has expired?
- I’m not sure if my insurance covers Pulmozyme. What should I do?
Q: Who should take Pulmozyme® Inhalation Solution, and what does it do?
A: Daily administration of Pulmozyme in conjunction with standard therapies is indicated in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients to improve pulmonary function. In patients with a forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥40% of predicted, daily administration of Pulmozyme has also been shown to reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections requiring injectable antibiotics. Safety and efficacy of daily administration of Pulmozyme have not been studied in clinical trials for longer than 12 months.
Q: I have CF, but I feel fine. Why should I consider treatment?
A: You may be feeling well, but CF is still present and may cause damage without noticeable symptoms. Studies have shown that CF progresses even in patients who seem healthy.
Q: How does Pulmozyme work?
A: Pulmozyme is a prescribed medication that patients inhale into their airways. In laboratory tests, Pulmozyme has been shown to thin and loosen CF mucus so it can be cleared and not clog your airways. Pulmozyme acts like “scissors” in the mucus, cutting up the DNA strands that make the mucus associated with CF thick and sticky. This thick, sticky mucus blocks airways, promotes harmful bacteria that cause infection, and starts inflammation, resulting in permanent lung damage and loss of lung function.
Q: What are the possible side effects of Pulmozyme?
A: When starting Pulmozyme therapy, patients may experience change in or loss of voice, discomfort in the throat, chest pain, red watery eyes, rash, dizziness, fever, or runny nose. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived. If any of these side effects are severe, get worse, or do not go away, you should call your doctor or nurse.
Q: Does everyone who has CF need to take Pulmozyme?
A: It is recommended that you speak with your doctor to determine if Pulmozyme is right for you.
Q: Do I need to take Pulmozyme every day?
A: For maximum benefit, Pulmozyme should be taken as prescribed by your physician. In clinical studies, it has been shown that daily use of Pulmozyme in conjunction with standard therapies may help improve lung function and reduce the risk of respiratory tract infection.
Q: Will I feel better immediately after taking Pulmozyme?
A: You may not feel better immediately. However, in clinical trials, Pulmozyme was shown to improve lung function in patients in as little as 8 days from initiation of treatment.
Q: How will Pulmozyme affect my other medicines?
A: Studies have shown that Pulmozyme can be effectively and safely used in conjunction with other standard CF therapies including oral, inhaled, and/or parenteral (injected) antibiotics; bronchodilators; enzyme supplements; vitamins; oral or inhaled corticosteroids; and analgesics. However, Pulmozyme should not be diluted or mixed with other drugs in the nebulizer. Mixing medications could change their effectiveness.
Q: In what order should I take Pulmozyme and my other inhaled medicines?
A: You should ask you doctor about the right sequence to take your medications.
Q: I have been taking Pulmozyme for awhile. Does it lose its effect over time?
A: In a pivotal trial (the study used to secure FDA approval), the effect of Pulmozyme was not studied beyond 12 months of use. In this study, Pulmozyme was shown to improve lung function and reduce risk of respiratory tract infections requiring hospitalizations over a 12-month period. There is no other known evidence that cystic fibrosis patients develop resistance to Pulmozyme over time.
Q: Can I use part of the Pulmozyme ampule and save some for later?
A: Pulmozyme comes in sterile, single-use ampules. Pulmozyme contains no preservatives, so once opened the entire contents of the ampule must be used or discarded. The indicated dose of Pulmozyme is 2.5 mg once or twice daily.
Q: How long does it take to nebulize (inhale) Pulmozyme?
A: The time to administer a dose of Pulmozyme will vary depending on the nebulizer and compressor combination you use. In clinical studies, Pulmozyme doses were administered in about 2 minutes, on average, for patients using the Durable Sidestream® nebulizer and MOBILAIRETM compressor together. Patients who used the Hudson T Up-Draft II® nebulizer together with the PulmoAide® compressor were able to inhale their Pulmozyme dose in about 10 minutes, on average. Inhalation time for other nebulizer/compressor combinations has not been reported in Pulmozyme clinical reports.
Q: Which nebulizer/compressor should I use with Pulmozyme?
A: The following nebulizer/compressors have been FDA-approved for use with Pulmozyme:
- PARI LC® Jet+ with PARI PRONEB®
- PARI BABYTM with PARI PRONEB®
- Durable Sidestream with MOBILAIRE
- Hudson T Up-Draft II with Pulmo-Aide
- Marquest Acorn II® with Pulmo-Aide
- Durable Sidestream with Porta-Neb®
Please speak with your healthcare professional to determine which nebulizer/compressor combination is best for you.
Q: Do I need to store Pulmozyme in a special way?
A: Pulmozyme comes in sterile, single-use (2.5 mg) ampules, each packaged in a protective foil pouch. You should keep the ampules in the foil packaging and store them in the refrigerator, away from strong light. Do not use past the expiration date stamped on each ampule.
Q: What if I run out? How do I get more Pulmozyme?
A: If you run out of Pulmozyme, please call your physician.
Q: How do I know if the ampule has expired?
A: Each ampule is stamped with an expiration date.
Q: I’m not sure if my insurance covers Pulmozyme. What should I do?
A: If you are unsure about your insurance coverage for Pulmozyme, Pulmozyme® Access SolutionsTM may be able to help. Pulmozyme Access Solutions provides coverage and reimbursement support, patient assistance, and other informational resources.
When you or your doctor’s office call Pulmozyme Access Solutions, you can speak with one of our experts, whose sole job is to make sure that you get the coverage or reimbursement help you need.
Pulmozyme Access Solutions is available by phone (1-800-690-3023) between the hours of 6 am and 5 pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday, or online at www.PulmozymeAccessSolutions.com.
Please see Important Safety Information and accompanying full Prescribing Information.
