Gaucher disease is the most common inherited lysosomal storage disorder;^[1] it represents a potentially serious health problem.^[2] Cerezyme^® (imiglucerase for injection) is enzyme replacement therapy for Type 1 Gaucher disease.^[5] It is the first preparation of glucocerebrosidase, the enzyme deficient in this disorder, produced using recombinant DNA technology. Cerezyme therapy is clinically proven to be safe and effective in relieving many of the signs and symptoms of Type 1 Gaucher disease.^[5] Please see important safety information below.

	Gaucher Disease Information Learn more about the genetic inheritance pattern of Gaucher disease, disease progression, and the diagnostic challenges associated with the disease.

Enhance recognition of diverse symptoms Learn more about the signs and symptoms with our interactive symptom tool for Gaucher disease.		Facilitate Diagnosis Learn more about diagnosing Gaucher disease, including a 2003 New England Journal of Medicine diagnostic case study of a nine year old girl.

Important Safety Information

Approximately 15% of patients have developed immune responses (antibodies). These patients have a higher risk of an allergic reaction (hypersensitivity). Use Cerezyme® (imiglucerase for injection) carefully if you have had an allergic reaction to the product in the past. Symptoms suggestive of allergic reaction happened in 6.6% of patients, and include anaphylactoid reaction (a serious allergic reaction), itching, flushing, hives, an accumulation of fluid under the skin, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing, cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin due to diminished oxygen), and low blood pressure. Side effects related to Cerezyme administration have been reported in less than 15% of patients. Each of the following events occurred in less than 2% of the total patient population. Reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, headache, fever, dizziness, chills, backache, and rapid heart rate. Because Cerezyme therapy is administered by intravenous infusion, reactions at the site of injection may occur: discomfort, itching, burning, swelling or uninfected abscess. Cerezyme is available by prescription only. For more information, consult your physician. To learn more, please see full product information (PDF), or contact Genzyme at 1-800-745-4447.

References

1. Charrow J, Andersson HC, Kaplan P, et al. The Gaucher registry: demographics and disease characteristics of 1698 patients with Gaucher disease. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:2835-2843.

2. NIH Technology Assessment Panel on Gaucher Disease. Gaucher disease: current issues in diagnosis and treatment. JAMA. 1996;275:548-553.

3. Beutler E, Grabowski GA. Gaucher disease. In:Scriber CR, Beaudet AL, Sly WS, et al, eds. The Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease, 7^th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1995;2:2641-2661.

4. Grabowski G. Gaucher disease: enzymology, genetics, and treatment. In: Harris H, Hirshchorn K, eds. Advances in Human Genetics. New York, NY: Plenum Press; 1993;21:377-441.

5. Prescribing Information for Cerezyme® (imiglucerase for injection).