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

Why Early Diagnosis Is Crucial

According to the American Thoracic Society (ATS), Alpha-1 is frequently underrecognized or misdiagnosed.1

  • Alpha-1 deficiency remains undiagnosed in as many as 95% of people with this genetic condition.1
  • According to a survey by Campos et al (2005) of 1,020 patients with Alpha-1 deficiency, the disease has taken an average of 8.3 years to diagnose from symptom onset. One-third of patients saw more than 2 physicians before being diagnosed.2
  • When tested, Alpha-1 deficiency was detected in 3.1% of individuals with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, or a family history of Alpha-1 (n=16,748).1
  • Of the 2.1 million people in the United States with emphysema, an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 have Alpha-1 deficiency.1
  • Because only 3,000 to 4,000 patients have been diagnosed to date, it is likely that Alpha-1 deficiency remains undiagnosed in the vast majority of patients.1

Without question, increased awareness of Alpha-1 is needed to ensure that more patients are correctly diagnosed and treated more quickly.

The ATS recommends screening all COPD patients for Alpha-1 deficiency.

To support screening, testing, and treatment efforts, CSL Behring offers the
Zemaira Alpha-1 Detection Program—a comprehensive educational resource for healthcare professionals.

Don't let Alpha-1 deficiency go undiagnosed. Recognize the warning signs, test, and treat accordingly.1

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. 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.
  2. Campos MA, Wanner A, Zhang G, Sandhaus RA. Chest. 2005;128(3):1179-1186.