Dornase Alfa

Dornase Alfa is a prescription medication used in managing cystic fibrosis. Dornase Alfa belongs to a group of drugs called mucolytics which help to thin mucus in the lungs so it is easier to cough out. 

This medication comes as a solution to be inhaled by mouth using the eRapid Neubulizer System or a jet nebulizer machine. The oral (by mouth) inhalation is typically used once a day. 

Common side effects of include voice alteration, inflammation of the throat, and rash. 

Dornase Alfa is a prescription medication used along with standard medicines for managing cystic fibrosis to improve pulmonary function. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Dornase Alfa may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Pulmozyme

See the "Dornase Alfa Precautions" section.

Common side effects include the following:

• voice alteration
• inflammation of the throat 
• rash
• chest pain
• pink eye
• nasal allergy symptoms
• decrease in lung function
• fever
• difficulty breathing

This is not a complete list of dornase alfa side effects. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

​Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported. 

Do not use dornase alfa if you have an allergy to dornase alfa, Chinese Hamster Ovary cell products, or any component of dornase alfa. 

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of dornase alfa, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving medication. 

Before taking dornase alfa, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions.

Especially tell your doctor if you are allergic to dornase alfa, Chinese Hamster Ovary cell products, or any component of this medication.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy. 

Dornase Alfa falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with dornase alfa. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication. 

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if dornase alfa crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using dornase alfa. 

Use dornase alfa exactly as prescribed. 

Dornase Alfa comes as an inhalation and is inhaled once daily using a recommended nebulizer.

• Dornase Alfa must be stored in the refrigerator and protected from light
• Squeeze each ampule before use to check for leaks
• Discard the solution if it is cloudy or discolored
• Once opened, the entire contents of the ampule must be used or discarded
• Do not dilute or mix dornase alfa with other drugs in the nebulizer 

Pulmozyme should only be used with the approved nebulizers and compressors. Follow directions carefully when using eRapid Nebulizer System and jet nebulizers.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and take your next dose at the regular time. Do no take two doses of dornase alfa. 

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. 

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• your lung function
• other medications you are taking
• the stability of your cystic fibrosis

The recommended dose of Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) for the treatment of cystic fibrosis is one 2.5 mg single-use ampule inhaled by mouth once daily. Some patients may benefit from twice daily usage. 

If you take too much of dornase alfa, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store Pulmozyme under refrigeration 36°F to 46°F(2°C to 8°C) in their protective foil to protect from light
• Do not use beyond the expiration date stamped on the ampule
• Refrigerate Pulmozyme during transport and do not expose to room temperatures for a total time of 24 hours.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.