Skip to main navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
For
Medicare
For
Providers
For
Brokers
For
Employers
Español
For Individuals & Families:
For Individuals & Families
Medical
Dental
Other Supplemental
Explore coverage through work
How to Buy Health Insurance
Types of Dental Insurance
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment
See all topics
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Log in to myCigna
Home
Knowledge Center
Wellness Library
pegloticase
pegloticase
What is the most important information I should know about pegloticase?
What is the most important information I should know about pegloticase?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.
Tell your caregivers right away if you feel itchy, light-headed, short of breath, or have chest discomfort or skin redness during the injection.
What is pegloticase?
What is pegloticase?
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using pegloticase?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using pegloticase?
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 is this pegloticase given?
How is this pegloticase given?
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.
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your pegloticase injection.
What happens if I overdose?
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using pegloticase?
What should I avoid while using pegloticase?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What are the possible side effects of pegloticase?
What are the possible side effects of pegloticase?
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 pegloticase?
What other drugs will affect pegloticase?
Other drugs may affect pegloticase, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about pegloticase.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>