Augmentation
Therapy
Augmentation
therapy
consists
of
weekly
IV
infusions
of
alpha-1
antitrypsin
derived
from
human
plasma.
It
is
used
to
increase
the
concentration
of
the
protein
in
the
blood
and
lungs.
Augmentation
therapy
is
the
only
FDA-approved
treatment
for
alpha-1
antitrypsin
deficiency.
Long-term
controlled
clinical
trials
have
not
been
done
to
show
that
augmentation
therapy
alters
the
course
of
lung
disease;
however,
it
is
currently
the
standard
of
care
for
lung-affected
patients
under
certain
circumstances.
You
should
discuss any
questions
you
have
about
augmentation
therapy
with
your
doctor.
Clinical
Criteria
for
use
Currently,
augmentation
therapy
can
only
be
prescribed
for
patients
with
Alpha-1
related
emphysema
and
certain
other
rare
manifestations
of
Alpha-1.
This
is
not
a
treatment
option
for
Alpha-1
liver
disease.
Augmentation
therapy
cannot
be
recommended
for
individuals
with
normal
lung
function.
It
should
be
reserved
for
those
patients
with
phenotypes
Pi
Z,
Pi
Z/null,
Pi
null
null,
and/or
patients
who
have
Alpha-1
serum
levels
of
less
than
11
micromoles.
It
is
not
generally
given
to
people
who have
mildly
deficient
phenotypes.
- Augmentation can be administered in a doctor's office, hospital clinic or in a facility where intravenous infusions are routinely given. Additionally, many companies offer home infusion services. You must check with your individual insurance carrier as criteria for services and benefits vary greatly.
- Patients who are motivated and physically able may be taught to administer augmentation therapy. A willing family member or significant other may also be trained and be involved in the process and care. It is imperative for individuals interested in self infusion discuss their intention with their physician and develop of plan of care. They must identify a nurse willing to work with them on a consistent basis to complete training on all aspects of therapy. Patient safety with home self-infusion is always a primary goal.
Safety
of
augmentation
therapy
Augmentation
therapy
is
prepared
from
pooled
human
plasma
that
has
been
screened
for
hepatitis
A,
B,
and
C
and
tested
for
HIV.
Additional
antiviral
procedures
are
utilized
as a
precaution
against
transmission
of
infectious
agents.
Known
side
effects
There
are
relatively
few
side
effects
that
have
been
reported:
headaches,
muscle
and
joint
pain,
and
lower-back
pain
are
the
most
frequent
complaints.
For
patients
with
severe
COPD
or
heart
failure,
worsening
of
shortness
of
breath
may
occur.
Your
doctor
will
probably
test
you
for
IgA
deficiency
prior
to
starting
augmentation
therapy
because
if
you
have
both
Alpha-1
Antitrypsin
Deficiency
and
IgA,
you
could
develop
a
severe
allergic
reaction
(anaphylaxis)
to
the
Alpha-1
augmentation
therapy.
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