Take Care of CF
You have a busy life. You probably go to school and might have homework, sports, or friends to play with. Sometimes, it can be hard to fit in all those things. But you should always make time every day to take care of CF. Even if you feel fine, it’s time well spent.
Do you know why sticking with your prescribed treatment is so important? Sometimes, learning about your body and how medications work may help motivate you to make time for your prescribed CF treatment.
It’s possible that your CF management plan will have multiple aspects. Here are some examples of things that might be a part of your plan:
Oral antibiotics, which may be swallowed
Intravenous (IV) antibiotics, which may require a hospital stay
Inhaled antibiotics, which may be an aerosol or mist
Airway Clearance Techniques (ACTs), which may include postural drainage and percussion, as well as special equipment, such as a vest
Inhaled medications, which may require a nebulizer. Nebulizers vary, so you should talk to your CF Care Team about which is FDA approved for use with your medicine.
One medication that you may take is Pulmozyme. There are a lot of videos on the Pulmozyme web site that will help you understand CF and how Pulmozyme treatment may work. Check them out and see what you can learn about CF.
If you take Pulmozyme, you should be taking it as prescribed by your doctor. Pulmozyme may help to improve your lung function and reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections.
Pulmozyme should not be used in patients who are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Pulmozyme should be used in conjunction with standard therapies for CF.
During Pulmozyme therapy, patients may experience change in or loss of voice, discomfort in the throat, chest pain, red watery eyes, rash, dizziness, fever, or runny nose. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived.
Taking Pulmozyme also means using a nebulizer. A nebulizer changes liquid medicine into a mist. That’s important because mist is able to go specifically into your lungs.
Your CF Care Team will teach you how to use your nebulizer. They will also help you figure out if a mask or a mouthpiece is better for you. If you have questions, ask your CF Care Team - they're here to help.
You may be able to make your prescribed treatment feel like it goes by faster if you do something fun during it.
You can:
Watch a movie
Read a new book or magazine
Play games, like the ones right here in CF Living
Indication and Usage
Daily administration of Pulmozyme® (dornase alfa) Inhalation Solution along with standard therapies is indicated in the management of cystic fibrosis patients to improve lung function. In patients with a forced vital capacity (volume of air exhaled with maximum effort and speed) greater than or equal to 40% of predicted, daily administration of Pulmozyme has also been shown to reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections requiring the administration of injectable antibiotics. In our pivotal study, safety and efficacy of daily administration has not been studied in patients beyond 12 months.
Important Safety Information
Pulmozyme should not be used in patients who are allergic to any of its ingredients
Pulmozyme should be used along with standard therapies for cystic fibrosis
When starting Pulmozyme therapy, patients may experience change in or loss of their voice, discomfort in the throat, chest pain, red watery eyes, rash, dizziness, fever, or runny nose
These side effects are usually mild and short-lived
The effect of Pulmozyme on exercise tolerance has not been established in adults and children
For further information, please see the Pulmozyme full prescribing information. If you have questions, please discuss them with your CF healthcare team.
