Generic name: Pegloticase
Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data not available
What is Krystexxa?
Pegloticase is used to treat chronic gout. Pegloticase is usually given after other gout medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Pegloticase may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use pegloticase if you are allergic to it, or if you have a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with pegloticase. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:
- allopurinol (Zyloprim); or
- febuxostat (Uloric).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart problems; or
- high blood pressure.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
How should I use Krystexxa
Use Krystexxa (Pegloticase) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Pegloticase is given as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 2 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take at least 2 hours to complete.
You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects or an allergic reaction. Your doctor may also recommend other gout medications to use during the first 6 months of treatment with pegloticase. Keep using all medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.
When you first start using pegloticase, you may have an increase in gout flares.
Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 months of treatment.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your pegloticase injection.
Krystexxa side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel nervous, light-headed, itchy, short of breath, or have fast heartbeats, chest discomfort, or redness of your skin during the injection.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- chest pain; or
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
Common side effects may include:
- COVID-19 symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell;
- hives, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, skin redness, or itching;
- joint pain;
- allergic reactions;
- new gout flares;
- nausea, vomiting, constipation; or
- bruising.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Krystexxa?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.