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Pulmozyme / Dornase AlfaDornase alfa (Pulmozyme®) is an inhaled medication that thins mucus. Sometimes referred to as a mucolytic or DNase, dornase alfa acts like scissors by cutting up the long DNA strands contained in white blood cells. By cutting these strands into shorter pieces, dornase alfa helps to break up the thick, sticky mucus that often leads to lung infections.
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Additional Information
Who Should Take Pulmozyme?
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's guidelines, "Chronic Medications for Maintenance of Lung Health," recommend the use of dornase alfa in people with CF ages 6 years and older to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations, or lung infections.
You should not take dornase alfa if you are allergic to any of the following ingredients:
How Do I Take It?
Keep Pulmozyme refrigerated until you are ready to use it. It is taken through a nebulizer, and comes in single-dose ampules or vials.
How to take Pulmozyme:
What Should I Expect After Taking it?
Unlike medications, such as antibiotics, Pulmozyme does not remain in your system, so the benefits of thinned mucus are temporary. Therefore, it is important to perform your airway clearance techniques right after taking it, while your mucus is still thin and easier to move out of your airways.
You may experience side effects when you take any medication, including hypertonic saline. Common side effects of hypertonic saline include:
When discussing any new medications or changes in dosages for medications you are already taking, be sure to ask your care team about:
Let your care team know if you feel any side effect that makes it hard for you to continue taking this medication as prescribed. Your care team can work with you to help you manage side effects or to adjust your treatment plan.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's guidelines, "Chronic Medications for Maintenance of Lung Health," recommend the use of dornase alfa in people with CF ages 6 years and older to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations, or lung infections.
You should not take dornase alfa if you are allergic to any of the following ingredients:
- Dornase alfa
- Calcium chloride
- Sodium chloride (salt)
How Do I Take It?
Keep Pulmozyme refrigerated until you are ready to use it. It is taken through a nebulizer, and comes in single-dose ampules or vials.
How to take Pulmozyme:
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Pour the contents of an ampule into the nebulizer cup.
- Sit upright in a chair. Place the mouthpiece of the nebulizer between your teeth and on top of your tongue.
- Inhale and exhale normally through your mouth, making sure you don't breathe through your nose.
- Remember to take a couple of deep breaths every minute or two to ensure medication reaches your smaller airways.
- When you hear a sound similar to spitting, it means the medication is almost used up. Tap on the nebulizer cup. Keep breathing the medication in until it is entirely used.
- Remember to use the full dose. If you need to cough or stop your treatment for some reason, turn the compressor off. When you are ready to restart your treatment, turn the compressor back on and resume treatment.
What Should I Expect After Taking it?
Unlike medications, such as antibiotics, Pulmozyme does not remain in your system, so the benefits of thinned mucus are temporary. Therefore, it is important to perform your airway clearance techniques right after taking it, while your mucus is still thin and easier to move out of your airways.
You may experience side effects when you take any medication, including hypertonic saline. Common side effects of hypertonic saline include:
- Increased cough
- Sore throat
- Chest tightness
When discussing any new medications or changes in dosages for medications you are already taking, be sure to ask your care team about:
- Any potential side effects
- Which side effects might be more serious than others
- How long they might last
- When to talk to your care team if side effects don't go away or if they interfere with your quality of life
Let your care team know if you feel any side effect that makes it hard for you to continue taking this medication as prescribed. Your care team can work with you to help you manage side effects or to adjust your treatment plan.
