Cerezyme Infusion Therapy

Cerezyme is a biologic therapy that is indicated to treat:

• pediatric and adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Type 1 Gaucher disease that results in one or more of the following conditions:
  • anemia
  • thrombocytopenia
  • bone disease

What Is Cerezyme?  

Cerezyme (imiglucerase) is a prescription medication administered for patients in all IVX Health centers via IV infusion. Cerezyme has been used to treat Gaucher Disease for over twenty years. 

How Cerezyme Works  

People with Gaucher disease type 1 may not have acid beta-glucocerebrosidase, the enzyme that breaks down a fatty substance called glucosylceramide (GL-1). This deficiency can cause a buildup of GL-1 in organs such as the spleen and liver as well as in the bones. 

Cerezyme works by acting like the missing enzyme, breaking down GL-1 into its more basic elements—glucose and ceremide, which can be naturally removed from the body. 

What Is Cerezyme Used For?  

Doctors order imiglucerase to treat: 

• pediatric and adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Type 1 Gaucher disease that results in one or more of the following conditions: 
• anemia 
• thrombocytopenia 
• bone disease 

Cerezyme Infusion Dosage and Administration  

Patients receive infliximab intravenously. Treatment time for a Cerezyme infusion at a medical clinic like IVX Health usually lasts from one to two hours. 

Dosage and Frequency 

Before receiving their first intravenous infusion of infliximab, the ordering physician determines the patient’s dose. This dose depends on the patient’s weight and condition severity. 

Infusion frequency will also depend on the patient’s dosage and condition severity. Frequency can range anywhere from three times per week to once every two weeks. 

Administering Cerezyme via IV Infusion  

1.  The nurse prepares the patient’s arm by using rubbing alcohol to sterilize the location that is being used to insert the IV needle. 
2. Following needle insertion, the IV line is held in place with tape. 
3. The nurse attaches the patient’s IV line to the line coming down from the bag of medication. 

Every half-an-hour, the patient’s nurse takes his or her vitals.

Cerezyme Infusion Side Effects

As with all medications, side effects are possible. 

Possible side effects include: 

• Dizziness 
• Headache 
• Rapid heart rate 
• A bluish discoloration of skin due to diminished oxygen 
• Flushing 
• Low blood pressure 
• Cough 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Pneumonia 
• High blood pressure in the lungs 
• Stomach pain 
• Diarrhea 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting  
• Serious allergic reaction 
• Hypersensitivity 
• Accumulation of fluid under the skin 
• Itching  
• Rash 
• Hives 
• Back pain or chest discomfort 
• Fever or chills 
• Fatigue 
• Infusion site burning, discomfort, and/or swelling 

These side effects range in prevalence and many are rare. 

How To Prepare for a Cerezyme Infusion  

It is essential that patients inform their physician if they currently have, or have had, any of the conditions listed below: 

• Allergies to other medications 
• Serious infections 

Before treatment, patients should get a good night’s sleep. In addition, they need to drink an adequate amount of fluid and eat a meal before their Cerezyme IV infusion treatment at IVX Health. 

How to Get a Referral for Cerezyme IV Infusions  

Every Cerezyme referral must be accompanied by a physician’s order for treatment. 

• Patient information should include: 
• Name 
• Current address 
• Home and mobile phone number 
• Insurance information 

Information the physician must include on the patient’s order for Cerezyme IV therapy: 

• Patient’s name and DOB 
• Order date 
• Diagnosis 
• Physician’s name and NPI# 
• Office address, phone and fax numbers 
• Provider’s signature 

Supporting clinical documentation from the physician should include: 

• Clinicals to support one or more of the following: 
• Type 1 Gaucher disease that results in one or more of the following conditions: anemia, thrombocytopenia, bone disease, hepatomegaly or splenomegaly. 

If you or someone you care about has one of the conditions that Cerezyme infusions treat, you may want to learn more about IV infusion treatments with imiglucerase. To find an IVX Health infusion center near you, please click here. 

Patients chose IVX Health to receive their ongoing Cerezyme treatments because:

• ALL private suites
• Comfortable recliners, with chairs for guests
• Evening & weekend appointments
• Friendly clinical staff deliver personal service
• Big screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, free snacks