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Alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor is a protein, also called alpha 1-antitrypsin. This protein occurs naturally in the body and is important for preventing the breakdown of tissues in the lungs.
In people who lack the alpha 1-antitrypsin protein, breakdown of lung tissues can lead to emphysema (damage to the air sacs in the lungs).
Alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor is used to treat alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in people who have symptoms of emphysema.
Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic (inherited) disorder and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor will not cure this condition.
Alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, or if you have an IgA (immunoglobulin A) deficiency or antibody against IgA.
Some brands of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before given as an injection. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly prepare and store your medicine.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth sores, pain or burning when you urinate, wheezing, chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing, or vision changes.
Alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, or if you have an IgA (immunoglobulin A) deficiency or antibody against IgA.
To make sure you can safely use alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease; or
• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing, difficulty breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• wheezing, chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing; or
• vision changes.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, bloating;
• headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
• feeling tired;
• back pain, joint or muscle pain;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough; or
• mild itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow your doctors instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
There may be other drugs that can interact with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid that can be found in many foods such as yeast, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and organ meats such as liver or kidney.
Alpha-lipoic acid has been used as a nutritional supplement and antioxidant.
Not all uses for alpha-lipoic acid have been approved by the FDA. Alpha-lipoic acid should not be substituted for medications prescribed for you by your doctor.
Alpha-lipoic acid is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Alpha-lipoic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.
Not all uses for alpha-lipoic acid have been approved by the FDA. Alpha-lipoic acid should not be substituted for medications prescribed for you by your doctor.
Alpha-lipoic acid is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Talk with a doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider before using alpha-lipoic acid if you have kidney or liver disease, diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), or a thyroid disorder.
Use alpha-lipoic acid as directed on the label, or as your healthcare provider has prescribed. Do not use this product in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Taking alpha-lipoic acid may lower your blood sugar. Tell your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider if you have symptoms such as hunger, weakness, nausea, irritability, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, confusion, sweating, fast heart rate, or fainting.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, and you may have none at all.
Ask a doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia); or
• a thyroid disorder.

It is not known whether alpha-lipoic acid will harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this product.
Alpha-lipoic acid can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without telling your healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these signs of low blood sugar while taking alpha-lipoic acid:

• hunger, weakness, nausea, irritability, tremors;
• drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision;
• confusion, trouble concentrating;
• sweating, fast heart rate; or
• feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• dizziness, tired feeling;
• headache, muscle cramps; or
• mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow your healthcare providers instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Do not take alpha-lipoic acid without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• levothyroxine (Synthroid) and other thyroid medications; or
• insulin or oral diabetes medications such as metformin (Glucophage), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with alpha-lipoic acid. Tell your healthcare provider about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your healthcare provider.