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Cerezyme® (imiglucerase for injection) is an analogue of the human enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase, produced by recombinant DNA technology. β-Glucocerebrosidase (β-D-glucosyl-N-acylsphingosine glucohydrolase, E.C. 3.2.1.45) is a lysosomal glycoprotein enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of the glycolipid glucocerebroside to glucose and ceramide.
Cerezyme® is produced by recombinant DNA technology using mammalian cell culture (Chinese hamster ovary). Purified imiglucerase is a monomeric glycoprotein of 497 amino acids, containing 4 Nlinked glycosylation sites (Mr = 60,430). Imiglucerase differs from placental glucocerebrosidase by one amino acid at position 495, where histidine is substituted for arginine. The oligosaccharide chains at the glycosylation sites have been modified to terminate in mannose sugars. The modified carbohydrate structures on imiglucerase are somewhat different from those on placental glucocerebrosidase. These mannose-terminated oligosaccharide chains of imiglucerase are specifically recognized by endocytic carbohydrate receptors on macrophages, the cells that accumulate lipid in Gaucher disease.
Cerezyme® is supplied as a sterile, non-pyrogenic, white to off-white lyophilized product. The quantitative composition of the lyophilized drug is provided in the following table:
| Ingredient | 200 Unit Vial | 400 Unit Vial |
| Imiglucerase (total amount)* | 212 units | 424 units |
| Mannitol | 170 mg | 340 mg |
| Sodium Citrates | 70 mg | 140 mg |
| (Trisodium Citrate) | (52 mg) | (104 mg) |
| (Disodium Hydrogen Citrate) | (18 mg) | (36 mg) |
| Polysorbate 80, NF | 0.53 mg | 1.06 mg |
| Citric Acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide may have been added at the time of manufacture to adjust pH. | ||
| *This provides a respective withdrawal dose of 200 and 4 00 units of imiglucerase. | ||
An enzyme unit (U) is defined as the amount of enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1 micromole of the synthetic substrate para-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (pNP-Glc) per minute at 37°C. The product is stored at 2-8°C (36-46°F). After reconstitution with Sterile Water for Injection, USP, the imiglucerase concentration is 40 U/mL (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION for final concentrations and volumes). Reconstituted solutions have a pH of approximately 6.1.
Cerezyme is indicated for treatment of adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with
Type 1 Gaucher disease that results in one or more of the following conditions:
Administration of Cerezyme should be supervised by a healthcare provider knowledgeable in the management of hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Initiate Cerezyme in a healthcare setting with appropriate medical monitoring and support measures, including access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
For patients who experience hypersensitivity reactions to Cerezyme premedicate with antihistamines and/or corticosteroids. Monitor patients for the occurrence of new hypersensitivity reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Therapy with Cerezyme should be directed by physicians knowledgeable in the management of patients with Gaucher disease.
The recommended dosage of Cerezyme based upon disease severity ranges from 2.5 units/kg three times a week to 60 units/kg once every two weeks. For patients weighing 18 kg and greater, infuse the diluted Cerezyme solution over 1 to 2 hours. For patients weighing less than 18 kg, infuse the diluted Cerezyme solution over 2 hours [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Titrate the dosage based on clinical manifestations of disease and therapeutic goals for the patient.
Cerezyme does not contain preservatives.
For injection: 400 units of imiglucerase as a white to off-white lyophilized powder in a singledose vial for reconstitution.
Cerezyme (imiglucerase) for injection, 400 units as a white to off-white lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial: NDC 58468-4663-1
Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
For storage of reconstituted and diluted solution see [DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Manufactured by: Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA 02141, A SANOFI COMPANY. Revised: Jul 2024
The following adverse reactions associated with the use of imiglucerase were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
| System Organ Class | Adverse Reactions |
| Nervous system disorders | dizziness, headache |
| Cardiac disorders | tachycardia |
| Vascular disorders | cyanosis,* flushing,* hypotension* |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | cough,* dyspnea,* pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting |
| Immune system disorders | anaphylaxis,* hypersensitivity |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | angioedema,* pruritus,* rash, urticaria* |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | back pain |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | chest discomfort,* chills, fatigue, infusion-site burning, infusion-site discomfort, infusion-site swelling, pyrexia |
| * Signs and symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS] and other infusion-associated reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. | |
Adverse reactions reported in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older were similar to adults.
As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other imiglucerase products may be misleading.
Approximately 15% of patients treated and tested to date have developed IgG antibody to Cerezyme during the first year of therapy. Patients who developed IgG antibody did so largely within 6 months of treatment and rarely developed antibodies to Cerezyme after 12 months of therapy. Approximately 46% of patients with detectable IgG antibodies experienced symptoms of hypersensitivity. Patients with antibody to Cerezyme have higher risk of hypersensitivity reaction [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Patients who developed IgG antibody to Cerezyme had increased elimination half-life compared to patients without antibody [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
No Information provided
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients treated with enzyme replacement therapies, including Cerezyme. In addition, other hypersensitivity reactions have included pruritus, flushing, urticaria, angioedema, chest discomfort, dyspnea, cough, cyanosis, tachycardia, and hypotension [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. Patients with antibody to imiglucerase have a higher risk of hypersensitivity reactions. Conversely, not all patients with symptoms of hypersensitivity have detectable IgG antibody. Consider periodic monitoring of patients during the first year of treatment for IgG antibody formation [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Anaphylaxis has occurred during the early course of enzyme replacement therapy and after extended duration of therapy. Administration of Cerezyme should be supervised by a healthcare provider knowledgeable in the management of hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. Initiate Cerezyme in a healthcare setting with appropriate medical monitoring and support measures, including access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment.
If a severe hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) occurs, discontinue Cerezyme and immediately initiate appropriate medical treatment, including use of epinephrine. Consider the risks and benefits of readministering Cerezyme to individual patients following a severe reaction. If the decision is made to readminister the product, consider reducing the rate of infusion and pretreat with antihistamines and/or corticosteroids and monitor patients for the occurrence of new signs and symptoms of a severe hypersensitivity reaction.
Inform patients of the symptoms of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and to seek immediate medical care should symptoms occur.
Infusion-associated reactions (IARs) such as angioedema, pruritus, rash, urticaria, chest discomfort, chills, fatigue, infusion-site burning, infusion-site discomfort, infusion-site swelling and pyrexia have been observed in patients treated with Cerezyme [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
If an IAR occurs, decreasing the infusion rate, temporarily stopping the infusion, and/or administering antihistamines and/or antipyretics may ameliorate the symptoms. Closely monitor patients who have experienced IARs when re-administering Cerezyme.
Long-term studies in animals to evaluate carcinogenic potential have not been performed with imiglucerase.
Imiglucerase was negative in the Ames test.
An animal fertility study was not performed. No histopathological findings on reproductive organs were observed in 13-week toxicity studies conducted in rats and monkeys.
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Cerezyme during pregnancy. Pregnant women exposed to Cerezyme and health care providers are encouraged to contact the Gaucher patient registry at 1-800-745-4447, extension 15500 or visit www.registrynxt.com.
Available data on more than 500 pregnancies from the international Gaucher Disease registry, postmarketing reports, published observational studies and case reports with Cerezyme or non– US-licensed imiglucerase use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks associated with symptomatic Type I Gaucher disease in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). No animal reproduction studies have been conducted with imiglucerase.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Disease-Associated Maternal And/Or Embryo/Fetal Risk
Pregnancy may exacerbate existing Type 1 Gaucher disease symptoms or result in new disease manifestations. Untreated symptomatic Type 1 Gaucher may lead to complications during pregnancy, including hepatosplenomegaly, which can interfere with the normal growth of a pregnancy and thrombocytopenia, which can lead to excessive bleeding.
Available published literature suggests a small amount of imiglucerase is present in breast milk immediately following an infusion of imiglucerase. Published case reports and postmarketing reports of breastfed infants have not reported adverse effects due to Cerezyme exposure. There are no data available on the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Cerezyme and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from imiglucerase or from the underlying maternal condition.
Lactating women with Gaucher disease treated with Cerezyme should be encouraged to enroll in the Gaucher patient registry [see Use In Specific Populations].
The safety and effectiveness of Cerezyme for treatment of Type 1 Gaucher disease that results in one or more of the following conditions: anemia, thrombocytopenia, bone disease, hepatomegaly or splenomegaly have been established in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older. Use of Cerezyme for this indication is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of Cerezyme and alglucerase in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older, with additional data obtained from the medical literature and from postmarketing experience in pediatric patients as young as 2 years of age [see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Clinical Studies].
The safety and effectiveness of Cerezyme have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 2 years of age.
No Information provided
None.
Gaucher disease is characterized by a deficiency of β-glucocerebrosidase activity, which results in accumulation of glucocerebroside in various tissues including liver, spleen, and bone marrow. The mannose sugars on imiglucerase mediate binding to and internalization by cells including macrophages. Cerezyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucocerebroside to glucose and ceramide.
No formal pharmacodynamic studies have been conducted with Cerezyme.
During one-hour intravenous infusions of four doses (7.5, 15, 30, 60 units/kg) of Cerezyme, steady-state enzymatic activity was achieved by 30 minutes. Following infusion, the half-life of plasma enzymatic activity ranged from 3.6 to 10.4 minutes. Plasma clearance ranged from 9.8 to 20.3 mL/min/kg (mean ± SD, 14.5 ± 4.0 mL/min/kg). The volume of distribution corrected for weight ranged from 0.09 to 0.15 L/kg (mean ± SD, 0.12 ± 0.02 L/kg). These variables do not appear to be influenced by dose or duration of infusion. However, only one or two patients were studied at each dose level and infusion rate.
In patients who developed IgG antibody to Cerezyme, an apparent effect on serum enzyme levels resulted in diminished volume of distribution and clearance and increased elimination half-life compared to patients without antibody [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Study RC 91-0110 was a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study of 30 patients (17 male and 13 female), aged 12 to 69 years (mean age of 38 years in the Cerezyme group and mean age of 28 years in the alglucerase group at baseline), with Gaucher disease type 1 and a hemoglobin of at least 1 g/dL below the lower age limit for age and sex. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either Cerezyme 60 units/kg every other week or alglucerase for 6 months. Primary efficacy parameters were an increase in hemoglobin concentration of at least 1 g/dL, increase in platelet count and decrease in spleen and liver volume at 6 months. Efficacy results are shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Change from Baseline to Month 6 in Clinical Efficacy Parameters in a Randomized, Double-Blind Active-Controlled Trial of Cerezyme Compared to Alglucerase in Patients 12 Years of Age and Older with Gaucher Disease Type 1
| Clinical Parameter | Cerezyme (N=15) |
Alglucerase (N=15) |
Difference (Cerezyme - Alglucerase) [95% CI]* | |
| Hemoglobin concentration (g/dL) | Baseline | 10.7 | 10.9 | - |
| Absolute Change from Baseline | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.3 [-0.6, 1.3] |
|
| Platelet count (X 103/mL3) | Baseline | 68.5 | 74.2 | - |
| Absolute Change from Baseline | 22.7 | 15.8 | 6.9 [-10.4, 24.1] |
|
| Liver volume (mL) | Baseline | 2521 | 2788 | - |
| Absolute Change from Baseline | -310 | -307 | -3 [-246, 240] |
|
| Percent Change from Baseline (%) | -11 | -10 | -1 [-9, 7] |
|
| Spleen volume (mL) | Baseline | 2369 | 2603 | - |
| Absolute Change from Baseline | -902 | -874 | -28 [-652, 596] |
|
| Percent Change from Baseline (%) | -35 | -30 | -5 [-14, 4] |
|
| * Confidence intervals were calculated using the t distribution (appropriate for small sample sizes) and the standard error of the difference in sample means (i.e. the pooled estimate of the common standard deviation, computed as the weighted average of the standard deviations in the two treatment groups); there was no evidence that the assumption of equal variances between the groups was violated. | ||||
Bone x-rays showed improvements in cortical thickness and lucencies in 7 of 11 Cerezyme treated patients.
In study RC 92-0501, twenty-nine patients continued treatment for total duration of 24 months. Patients were unblinded at 9 months and allowed to cross-over to Cerezyme treatment. At 24 months, mean increase in hemoglobin was 2.4 g/dL, mean increase in platelet count was 40 ×103/mL3, mean change in liver volume was -20%, and mean change in spleen volume was -57%.
Advise patients and caregivers that life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, and infusion reactions may occur with Cerezyme treatment.
Advise patients and caregivers that anaphylaxis has occurred during the early course of enzyme replacement therapy and after extended duration of therapy.
Inform patients and caregivers of the symptoms of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, and IARs and to seek immediate medical care should symptoms occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Inform patients and caregivers that the Gaucher patient registry has been established in order to better understand the variability and progression of Gaucher disease and to continue to monitor and evaluate long-term treatment effects of Cerezyme. A pregnancy sub-registry will also monitor the effects of Cerezyme on pregnant women and their offspring [see Use In Specific Populations]. Encourage patients and caregivers to participate in the Gaucher patient registry. Advise patients that their participation is voluntary and may involve long-term followup. For information regarding the registry program, visit www.registrynxt.com or call 1-800- 745-4447, extension 15500.
