Tailored pharmacokinetic dosing allows self-administration and reduces the cost of IV augmentation therapy with human alpha(1)-antitrypsin.

Abstract

Severe alpha(1)-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (PiZZ) predisposes to the development of emphysema. Intravenous augmentation therapy with purified human AAT has been available since 1988. The dosage has varied from 60 mg/kg body weight once weekly to 250 mg/kg once monthly. We have found the dosage of 120 mg/kg every 2 weeks to be the most convenient for the patients. The treatment is very expensive. The objective of this investigation was to study whether tailored pharmacokinetic dosing of human AAT allows self-administration and reduces the total annual dose and cost of intravenous augmentation therapy.