Consumer Information

Vitrase

Generic Name: hyaluronidase (injectable) (HYE al ure ON i dase)
Brand Names: Amphadase, Hydase, Hylenex, Vitrase

What is Vitrase?

Vitrase is a preparation of highly purified ovine testicular hyaluronidase, a protein enzyme. The exact chemical structure of this enzyme is unknown.

Vitrase (hyaluronidase) is used as an aid to increase the absorption and distribution of other injected medications in the body.

Vitrase is also used to help contrast dyes in your body show more clearly on certain types of x-rays or scans.

Important information about Vitrase

Your doctor may perform a skin test to see if you are allergic to hyaluronidase before you receive Vitrase.

Before receiving Vitrase, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: furosemide (Lasix); phenytoin (Dilantin); a sedative or anxiety medication (such as Valium, Xanax, Tranxene); aspirin or salicylates; cortisone or ACTH (Corticotropin); estrogens; or an antihistamine (such as a cold or allergy medicine).

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving Vitrase?

Your doctor may perform a skin test to see if you are allergic to hyaluronidase before you receive the medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Vitrase is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive Vitrase, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known if hyaluronidase passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Vitrase?

Vitrase is given as an injection under the skin. You will receive the injection from a doctor or other healthcare professional.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Vitrase injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a Vitrase overdose may include itching or swelling where the injection was given. Other possible symptoms include chills, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fast heartbeat, or fainting.

What should I avoid while receiving Vitrase?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Vitrase.

Vitrase side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious Vitrase side effects may include:

pain or tenderness where the medication was injected; or
swelling in any part of your body.

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 Vitrase?

Before receiving Vitrase, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

furosemide (Lasix);
phenytoin (Dilantin);
a sedative or anxiety medication (such as Valium, Xanax, Tranxene);
aspirin or salicylates;
cortisone or ACTH (Corticotropin);
estrogens; or
an antihistamine (such as a cold or allergy medicine).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Vitrase. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Vitrase injection.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.