Alpha-1 Lung Disease: Treatment Make an Appointment Refer a Patient Ask a Question Reviewed by Karina A. Serban, MD, Robert A. Sandhaus, MD, PhD, FCCP (November 01, 2017) Treatment of Alpha-1 is important and includes: Medications People with Alpha-1 may live long, healthy lives without ever getting lung or liver problems from their Alpha-1. For those who develop emphysema or COPD, treatment starts with the same medications and therapies used for those who get COPD without Alpha-1. The medications include: Inhaled bronchodilators Combination medication Inhaled corticosteroids Medication to prevent COPD flare-ups In addition, specific therapy has been available for Alpha-1 lung disease since 1987, a class of medicine called augmentation therapy. This medication augments the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in the blood with normal alpha-1 antitrypsin from healthy plasma donors and is infused into an arm vein. The dose is adjusted based on body weight, and this treatment is given once a week. This therapy does not help people with liver disease due to Alpha-1. There are currently four brands of augmentation therapy approved in the U.S. They include: Prolastin® AralastTM Zemaira® Glassia® In addition to medications, Alpha-1 lung disease treatment includes: Avoiding infection Oxygen therapy for those with oxygen saturation levels below 89% Breathing Retraining Techniques to bring up mucus Pulmonary rehabilitation Surgery is a treatment option for Alpha-1, depending on the type and severity of disease. This could include: Lung transplant Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) although often people with Alpha-1 lung disease are not good candidates for surgical lung volume reduction surgery. Liver transplantation may be an option for people severely affected by Alpha-1 liver disease. Healthy Lifestyle A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, including people with Alpha-1 and their caregivers: A healthy lifestyle includes: Regular exercise Giving up smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke. This is important in managing Alpha-1. Smoking can accelerate or speed the development of Alpha-1 related emphysema and shorten lifespan. Healthy eating Remember, people with Alpha-1 can live al full life. Alpha-1 Lung Disease: Symptoms & Associated Conditions Clinical Trials For more than 100 years, National Jewish Health has been committed to finding new treatments and cures for diseases. Search our clinical trials.
Reviewed by Karina A. Serban, MD, Robert A. Sandhaus, MD, PhD, FCCP (November 01, 2017) Treatment of Alpha-1 is important and includes: Medications People with Alpha-1 may live long, healthy lives without ever getting lung or liver problems from their Alpha-1. For those who develop emphysema or COPD, treatment starts with the same medications and therapies used for those who get COPD without Alpha-1. The medications include: Inhaled bronchodilators Combination medication Inhaled corticosteroids Medication to prevent COPD flare-ups In addition, specific therapy has been available for Alpha-1 lung disease since 1987, a class of medicine called augmentation therapy. This medication augments the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in the blood with normal alpha-1 antitrypsin from healthy plasma donors and is infused into an arm vein. The dose is adjusted based on body weight, and this treatment is given once a week. This therapy does not help people with liver disease due to Alpha-1. There are currently four brands of augmentation therapy approved in the U.S. They include: Prolastin® AralastTM Zemaira® Glassia® In addition to medications, Alpha-1 lung disease treatment includes: Avoiding infection Oxygen therapy for those with oxygen saturation levels below 89% Breathing Retraining Techniques to bring up mucus Pulmonary rehabilitation Surgery is a treatment option for Alpha-1, depending on the type and severity of disease. This could include: Lung transplant Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) although often people with Alpha-1 lung disease are not good candidates for surgical lung volume reduction surgery. Liver transplantation may be an option for people severely affected by Alpha-1 liver disease. Healthy Lifestyle A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, including people with Alpha-1 and their caregivers: A healthy lifestyle includes: Regular exercise Giving up smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke. This is important in managing Alpha-1. Smoking can accelerate or speed the development of Alpha-1 related emphysema and shorten lifespan. Healthy eating Remember, people with Alpha-1 can live al full life. Alpha-1 Lung Disease: Symptoms & Associated Conditions