Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for Fabry disease in adults and some children. Fabrazyme comes as an intravenous (IV) infusion that’s given by a healthcare professional. The dosage can vary depending on certain factors.

Fabrazyme is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat Fabry disease in adults and children ages 2 years and older. Fabry disease is a rare genetic condition that’s passed down through families. With this condition, the body isn’t able to break down a certain type of fat. This causes symptoms that may be mild or life threatening.

Fabrazyme is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called enzyme replacement therapy. Fabrazyme isn’t available in a biosimilar version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Fabrazyme, including its strengths and how to receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Fabrazyme, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Fabrazyme provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Fabrazyme dosage that’s right for you.

The information below describes Fabrazyme’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.

Fabrazyme form

Fabrazyme comes as a powder in a single-dose vial. The powder is mixed with a liquid to form a solution for IV infusion. You’ll receive your IV infusion in a hospital or clinic.

Fabrazyme strengths

Fabrazyme comes in two strengths: 5 milligrams (mg) and 35 mg.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for Fabry disease

Doctors may prescribe Fabrazyme to treat Fabry disease.

If your doctor prescribes Fabrazyme for you, your dose will be based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). Fabrazyme’s recommended dosage is 1 mg/kg, given once every 2 weeks as an IV infusion.

For example, if you weigh 70 kg (154 lb), your dosage will be 70 mg once every 2 weeks.

Your doctor may recommend a different dosage of Fabrazyme, known as a rechallenge dosage, if:

If your doctor recommends a rechallenge dosage, you’ll typically receive 0.5 mg/kg. The infusion will also be given more slowly than usual. Over time, your doctor may gradually increase your dosage until you receive 1 mg/kg.

If you’ve had an infusion-related reaction to a prior dose of Fabrazyme, your doctor may recommend that you receive your Fabrazyme dosage at a slower rate of infusion.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Fabrazyme is approved to treat Fabry disease in children ages 2 years and older.

The dosage is the same as the adult dosage. See the “Dosage for Fabry disease” section above.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Fabrazyme is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Fabrazyme is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.

Before you start receiving Fabrazyme, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Fabrazyme dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your body weight, which may change over time
  • whether you have an allergic reaction or develop antibodies to Fabrazyme
  • whether you have an allergy or develop antibodies to Fabrazyme
  • whether you have an infusion-related reaction to Fabrazyme

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you have an allergic reaction to Fabrazyme or if you develop antibodies to it during treatment. They may also need to adjust your dosage or infusion time if you have an infusion-related reaction to Fabrazyme. See the “Dosage for Fabry disease” section above for more details.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you an IV infusion of Fabrazyme. First, they’ll mix the powder form of Fabrazyme with a liquid to make a solution. Then, they’ll prepare the liquid solution for infusion. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. The infusion takes several hours.

If you have questions about how to use Fabrazyme, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also more information on the manufacturer’s website.

If you miss your appointment for a Fabrazyme infusion, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.

If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Fabrazyme.

Is the dosage of Fabrazyme similar to the dosage of Galafold?

No. Although both drugs are given for Fabry disease, the forms and how often you use them are different.

Fabrazyme comes as an IV infusion that’s given once every 2 weeks. Galafold comes as an oral capsule that you take once every other day.

The dose in milligrams for each drug also differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Fabrazyme to start working?

Fabrazyme starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. It may take at least 5 months of treatment to see the full effect of the medication. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Fabrazyme treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Fabrazyme for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Fabrazyme that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Fabrazyme. For information about other aspects of Fabrazyme, refer to this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.