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Up to 25 million Americans carry an abnormal gene for Alpha-1 1

Many carriers of an abnormal gene for Alpha-1 have an increased risk of lung disease including lung cancer. 2 Order free Grifols AlphaKits for your patients.

Recommendations for Diagnosis & Testing for Alpha-1

American Thoracic Society (ATS) Guidelines

ATS guidelines recommend testing a broad range of patients with pulmonary conditions:3

  • All adults with symptomatic emphysema regardless of smoking history
  • All adults with symptomatic COPD regardless of smoking history
  • All adults with symptomatic asthma whose airflow obstruction is incompletely reversible after bronchodilator therapy
  • Asymptomatic patients with persistent obstruction on pulmonary function tests with identifiable risk factors (smoking, occupational exposure, etc.)
  • Consider testing of asymptomatic individuals with persistent airflow obstruction without risk factors (no smoking or no known occupational exposure, etc.)

ATS guidelines also provide guidance on testing family members of Alphas:

  • Test all siblings of Alphas
  • Consider testing of offspring, parents or distant relatives of Alphas

Read the ATS/ERS Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency on the ATS web site.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines

NIH advises testing similar patient types. Read the NIH Statement on the Diagnosis and Management of Individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency on the NIH web site.4

Testing is critical to improving care for your patients, their affected children and other relatives who may be at risk

If your patient has been diagnosed with Alpha-1, it’s important to discuss testing for family members.

There are many potential benefits of testing for Alpha-1:

  • Allows patient to take steps that may slow the progression of Alpha-1. Find out more about treatment of Alphas and information for carriers
  • Assists in making decisions about work, lifestyle, and having children
  • Allows patient to increase knowledge of Alpha-1 and to become aware of personal risk of lung disease
  • Provides information for future healthcare decisions

Healthcare providers and patients should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of testing before making a final decision.

Testing is easy and free

Grifols AlphaKits are free - all costs related to the test kits are paid for by Grifols, makers of PROLASTIN-C:

  • A simple test is all it takes to rule out the leading genetic cause of COPD
  • Grifols AlphaKits are processed by the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Genetics Laboratory at the University of Florida
  • Privacy and confidentiality are guaranteed
  • Results are kept in the strictest of confidence
  • Patient results are shared only with the ordering physician

next: Compare Alpha-1 Tests & Protocols >

Important Safety Information

PROLASTIN-C, Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human) is indicated for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy in adults with emphysema due to deficiency of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency). The effect of augmentation therapy with any alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI) on pulmonary exacerbations and on the progression of emphysema in alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency has not been demonstrated in randomized, controlled clinical trials. PROLASTIN-C is not indicated as therapy for lung disease in patients in whom severe Alpha1-PI deficiency has not been established.

PROLASTIN-C may contain trace amounts of IgA. Patients with known antibodies to IgA, which can be present in patients with selective or severe IgA deficiency, have a greater risk of developing potentially severe hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. PROLASTIN-C is contraindicated in patients with antibodies against IgA.

The most common drug related adverse reactions during clinical trials in ≥ 1% of subjects were chills, malaise, headache, rash, hot flush, and pruritus.

PROLASTIN-C is made from human plasma. Products made from human plasma may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g., viruses, and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent.

Please see accompanying PROLASTIN-C Full Prescribing Information for complete prescribing details.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References
  1. de Serres FJ, Blanco I, Fernández-Bustillo E. Genetic epidemiology of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in North America and Australia/New Zealand: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America. Clin Genet. 2003:64(5):382-397.
  2. Yang P, Sun Z, Krowka MJ, et al. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency carriers, tobacco smoke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer risk. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(10):1097-1103.
  3. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement: standards for the diagnosis and management of individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;168(7):818-900.
  4. Adapted from National Institutes of Health. Who is at risk for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency? www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/aat/aat_risks.html. Accessed May 15, 2009.