Enzyme Replacement Therapy

Also known as: ERT.

What is enzyme replacement therapy?

Enzyme replacement therapy is a medical procedure used to treat patients who have certain types of enzyme deficiencies. It involves replacing the enzymes with different types of enzyme preparations.


What happens during the procedure?

Enzyme replacement therapy is administered intravenously. A patient’s vein will be injected with an IV syringe, and then he or she will sit or lay down for a period of time while the IV is administered. This process often needs to be repeated based on blood chemistries, sometimes as often as once a week.


Is any special preparation needed?

You may need to stop taking certain medications before enzyme replacement therapy.


What are the risk factors?

Possible risks of enzyme replacement therapy include but are not limited to reactions reactions at the site of the infusion, rash, fever, difficulty breathing, and anaphylaxis.


Reviewed by: Sajel Lala, MD

This page was last updated on: March 26, 2019 12:26 PM