Alpha 1 -proteinase - AL-fa wun PRO-teen-ayce inhibitor - alpha 1 -PI is using to treat emphysema causing by the lack of a certain protein, alpha 1 -antitrypsin, in the body. This drug replaces the protein when the body does not produce enough by itself.
Alpha 1 -PI is prepared from human blood received from many donors. Each donor's blood is tested for human immunodeficiency virus - HIV and hepatitis B virus before it is using to prepare this drug. Always alpha 1 -PI is treated with heat to reduce further the risk of transmission of virus infections. Other processes are also done to help make the alpha 1 -PI more pure. However, no procedure has been found to be totally effective in removing viruses from blood products.
There have not been any reports of hepatitis developing in any diseaseds receiving alpha 1 -PI. Your family doctor may want to vaccinate you with hepatitis B vaccine before you receive this drug. In some cases, there may not be enough time for the vaccine to take effect before the alpha 1 -PI is given. Therefore, you may be given hepatitis B immune globulin at the same time that you receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
Alpha 1 -PI is given once a week. Your family doctor may want you to receive this drug regularly for a long time. However, it is not known what the effects of this drug are when it is using regularly to treat emphysema causing by lack of alpha 1 -antitrypsin. Be sure you have discussed this with your family doctor.
Alpha 1 -PI is aplaying only by or under the immediate supervision of your family doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
In Canada
Another commonly using name is alpha 1 -antitrypsin .