What to Expect from Fabrazyme Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT)

If you are starting treatment for the first time, there may be a significant amount of GL-3 in your body's cells. Regular intravenous (IV) infusions with Fabrazyme^® (agalsidase beta) are necessary to keep GL-3 levels reduced. For more on this, see Continuing Treatment.

^Dosage

The recommended Fabrazyme dosage is 1.0 milligram (mg) for each kilogram (kg) of body weight given once every 2 weeks as an intravenous (IV) infusion. For instance, a man weighing 70 kg (approximately 154 pounds) would receive 70 mg of Fabrazyme.

^{How Fabrazyme is Administered}

Fabrazyme is administered by IV infusion. This is a process that involves injecting the drug into a vein, directly into the bloodstream. Fabrazyme cannot be taken orally as a pill or liquid because it is an enzyme that is destroyed in the digestive system. Infusion into the bloodstream bypasses the body's digestive processes and allows Fabrazyme to work in cells throughout the body.

^{The Infusion Process}

Before the infusion begins, your health care professional will give you anti-fever medication (e.g. ibuprofen or acetaminophen) to help prevent reactions your body may have to Fabrazyme.

Your infusion time may be approximately 4 to 5 hours when you first start treatment because your doctor will want to see how your body responds to Fabrazyme. However, that time may decrease once your body becomes used to the infusion. In a clinical study, over time a majority of patients completed one or more infusions in approximately 2 hours. Your results with Fabrazyme infusion may vary. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect for your infusion time.

During the infusion, you can do things such as read a book, talk on the phone, write in your journal, visit with friends or family who are with you, or use the restroom--even take a nap if you wish.

With Fabrazyme treatment, it is important not to miss a dose. Go to Infusion Scheduler for a tool to help you remember when your treatment is scheduled.