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Aralast ( Alpha 1-Antitrypsin) - Warnings and Precautions

 
 



WARNINGS

Because ARALAST NP is derived from pooled human plasma, it may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) agent. Stringent procedures designed to reduce the risk of adventitious agent transmission have been employed in the manufacture of this product, from the screening of plasma donors and the collection and testing of plasma through the application of viral elimination/reduction steps such as ethanol fractionation, PEG precipitation, solvent detergent treatment, and nanofiltration. Despite these measures, such products can still potentially transmit disease; therefore, the risk of infectious agents cannot be totally eliminated. ALL infections thought by a physician possibly to have been transmitted by this product should be reported to the manufacturer at 1-800-423-2090 (US). The physician should weigh the risks and benefits of the use of this product and should discuss these with the patient.

ARALAST NP may contain trace amounts of IgA. Patients with known antibodies to IgA, which can be present in patients with selective or severe IgA deficiency, have a greater risk of developing potentially severe hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. ARALAST NP is contraindicated in patients with antibodies against IgA due to risk of severe hypersensitivity.

The rate of administration specified in DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION should be closely followed, at least until the physician has had sufficient experience with a given patient. Vital signs should be monitored continuously and the patient should be carefully observed throughout the infusion. IF ANAPHYLACTIC OR SEVERE ANAPHYLACTOID REACTIONS OCCUR, THE INFUSION SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IMMEDIATELY. Epinephrine and other appropriate supportive therapy should be available for the treatment of any acute anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction.

PRECAUTIONS

General

ARALAST NP should be administered at room temperature within three (3) hours after reconstitution. Partially used vials should be discarded and not saved for future use. The solution contains no preservative.

ARALAST NP should be administered alone, without mixing with other agents or diluting solutions.

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with ARALAST NP. It is also not known whether ARALAST NP can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women or can affect reproductive capacity.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether alpha1-proteinase inhibitor is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when ARALAST NP is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of ARALAST NP did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. As for all patients, dosing for geriatric patients should be appropriate to their overall situation. Safety and effectiveness in patients over age 65 years of age have not been established.

Information for Patients

Inform patients that administration of ARALAST NP has been demonstrated to raise the plasma level of α1-PI, but that the effect of this augmentation on the frequency of pulmonary exacerbations and on the rate of progression of emphysema has not been established by clinical trials.

Page last updated: 2010-04-20

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