Dornase alfa

Type of Medication: Mucolytic

Indications: Decrease sputum viscosity, improves sputum clearance and reduces hospitalisations

Side Effects: Hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, rashes, urticaria, conjunctivitis, exacerbation of haemoptysis, worsening lung function, fever, dyspepsia

Route of administration: Adult (Nebulised)

Dose: 2.5mg once daily. (No evidence to suggest bd dose gives extra benefit)

Administration: Don’t mix with other nebulised drugs. Ensure a minimum of one hour between taking dornase alfa and the inhalation of an antibiotic. Dornase alfa likely to be most beneficial 1-3 hours following its inhalation, although there is no research to support or refute this statement. We do not recommend that a patient should receive chest physiotherapy immediately following its inhalation but that the patient waits a minimum of one hour. Dornase alfa must be stored in the refrigerator at 2-8°C and protected from strong light. Avoid exposure to excessive heat. A single brief exposure to elevated temperature (less than or equal to 24 hours up to 30°C) does not affect product stability. When nebulising dornase alfa it is important to use a compressor with a suitable output. The manufacturer recommends that a compressor with an output of between 6 and 6.5L should be used. Those compressors delivering an output of 10L as is typical of older compressors is not to be recommended. Patient should have initial supervised test dose with pre and post dose monitoring with lung function.

Route of administration: Paediatric (Nebulised)

Dose:2.5mg once daily. (No evidence to suggest bd dose gives extra benefit)