Hydase (Injection, Subcutaneous)

Hyaluronidase is a natural substance found in the body and is collected from cows or pigs. It is cleaned to remove animal materials. It can also be made in a laboratory that recreates it from human albumin sources.

Hyaluronidase injection is a spreading substance. It is used with other medicines injected under the skin to help the body absorb them better. This method is only used when the drug cannot be injected into a vein. Hyaluronidase injection is also used to increase the absorption of fluids or medicines injected into your skin. It is also used to help improve the absorption of radioactive substances during a procedure called subcutaneous urography.

This medicine should only be given by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Your doctor will monitor your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is effective and if you should continue to receive it.

This medicine is made from donated human blood products. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses to people who have received them, although the risk is low. Both human donors and donated blood are tested for viruses to reduce the transmission risk. Talk with your doctor about this risk if you are concerned.

Some people may be allergic to this medicine. Inform your doctor if you develop a rash, hives, red or itchy skin, or have trouble breathing after receiving hyaluronidase.

Do not take other medicines unless your doctor has discussed them with you. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks of taking the medicine compared to the benefits it will provide. Here are some important points to consider for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of hyaluronidase injection in children.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of hyaluronidase injection in older adults.

Breast Feeding

There are not enough studies in women to determine if there is any risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before using this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be taken together even if there could be an interaction. In these cases, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while receiving this medicine. The following interactions are significant but not a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both of the medicines.

• Adenovirus Vaccine, Live
• Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
• Benzocaine
• Bupivacaine
• Bupivacaine Liposome
• Butacaine
• Chloroprocaine
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Cocaine
• Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
• Dibucaine
• Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live
• Etidocaine
• Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
• Lidocaine
• Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
• Mepivacaine
• Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
• Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
• Prilocaine
• Procaine
• Proparacaine
• Propoxycaine
• Ropivacaine
• Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
• Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Smallpox Monkeypox Vaccine, Live Non-Replicating
• Smallpox Vaccine
• Tetracaine
• Typhoid Vaccine, Live
• Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Yellow Fever Vaccine
• Zoster Vaccine, Live

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems can affect how you use this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical issues you have, especially:

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of hyaluronidase. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.

• Infection at the injection site—This may increase the chance of side effects.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Cough
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• hives or welts
• itching
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness of the skin
• skin rash
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Blurred vision
• chills
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• nausea or vomiting
• redness of the skin
• sweating
• swelling
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusually warm skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

In the U.S.

• Amphadase
• Hydase
• Hylenex
• Vitrase

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Tissue Permeability Modifier

Pharmacologic Class: Enzyme

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

Before receiving this medicine for the first time, you may be given a skin test to make sure you are not allergic to the medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form: For better uptake of other drugs: Adults—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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