Zemaira

Pronunciation: AL-fa PROE-teen-ase in-HIB-i-ter
Generic Name: Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor (Human)
Brand Name: Examples include Aralast NP and Zemaira

Zemaira is used for:

Treating emphysema caused by alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor deficiency (also known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency).

Zemaira is an alpha-1 protease inhibitor. It works by blocking substances in the lungs that break down lung tissue and sometimes causes emphysema.

Do NOT use Zemaira if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zemaira


• you have a selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency and have antibodies against IgA

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Zemaira:

Some medical conditions may interact with Zemaira. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have heart or circulatory problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zemaira. However, no specific interactions with Zemaira are known at this time.

Ask your health care provider if Zemaira may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Zemaira:

Use Zemaira as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Zemaira is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Zemaira at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.


• Gently swirl the vial until the powder is completely dissolved. Do not shake.


• If Zemaira contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.


• Use Zemaira at room temperature within 3 hours after mixing. Throw away any unused medicine.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.


• Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Zemaira, contact your doctor.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zemaira.

Important safety information:

• Zemaira may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Zemaira. Using Zemaira alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.


• Zemaira contains albumin, which comes from human blood. There is a very rare risk of getting a viral disease or a central nervous system disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from products with albumin. No cases of these problems have been found in patients who have used Zemaira.


• Zemaira should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Zemaira can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zemaira while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zemaira is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zemaira, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Zemaira:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; headache; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); swelling of the ankles or feet; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat); tingling or numbness of the skin; weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Zemaira side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Zemaira:

Zemaira is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Zemaira at home, store Zemaira as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Zemaira, as well as needles and syringes, out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Zemaira, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Zemaira is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zemaira. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Zemaira resources

• Zemaira Side Effects (in more detail)
• Zemaira Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Zemaira Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Zemaira - Add your own review/rating

• Zemaira Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Zemaira Consumer Overview


• Zemaira Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Aralast NP Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Glassia Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Glassia Consumer Overview


• Prolastin-C Prescribing Information (FDA)

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