About Alpha-1 DeficiencyWhy Early Diagnosis Is CrucialScreening: Who Is At RiskWarning Signs of Alpha-1 DeficiencyATS GuidelinesTreatment OptionsThe Zemaira® DifferenceAlpha-1 Detection ResourcesZemaira® Patient Programs and ServicesOrdering Zemaira®Medical ResourcesImportant Safety InformationPrescribing InformationZemaira® for consumers

About Alpha-1 Deficiency

Alpha1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency* is a hereditary condition characterized by a damaged copy of one or both of the alpha-1 antitrypsin genes. Alpha-1 deficiency increases the risk of emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung infections, and bronchiectasis.1

*Also known as alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, AAT deficiency, AATD, A1-PI deficiency, or Alpha-1 deficiency.1

Symptoms of Alpha-1 include shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough—common symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other chronic lung diseases, such as COPD or asthma.2

It is estimated that as many as 100,000 people in the United States have Alpha-1 deficiency, though as many as 20,000,000 may have one normal and one defective alpha-1 gene (carriers).2

More about Alpha-1 deficiency:

  • It is the most common genetic risk factor for emphysema.2
  • As many as 95% of people with Alpha-1 deficiency go undiagnosed.3
  • Up to 3% of people diagnosed with COPD have Alpha-1.2
Important Safety Information

Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human), Zemaira is indicated for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy for adults with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (A1-PI) deficiency and emphysema. Clinical data demonstrating the long-term effects of chronic augmentation therapy with Zemaira are not available.

Zemaira may not be appropriate for the following adult individuals as they may experience severe reactions, including anaphylaxis: individuals with a known hypersensitivity and/or history of anaphylaxis or severe systemic reaction to A1-PI products or their components, and individuals with selective IgA deficiencies who have known antibodies against IgA.

In clinical studies, the following treatment-related adverse reactions were reported in 1% of subjects: asthenia (fatigue), injection-site pain, dizziness, headache, paresthesia (tingling), and pruritus (itching).

Zemaira is derived from human plasma. The risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.

Please see full prescribing information.

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.

The information provided herein is solely for use by physicians and healthcare professionals in the United States. The CSL Behring product listed may not have been approved in other countries and may not be available everywhere.

  1. Alpha-1 Association: What is Alpha-1? Accessed at: http://www.alpha1.org/newlyDiag/whatIs.php on May 16, 2006
  2. Alpha-1 Foundation: What is Alpha-1? Accessed at: http://www.alphaone.org/ on May 16, 2006
  3. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Task Force. 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;168:818-900.