Can Prolastin Be Self-Administered?

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, weekly intravenous infusions of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (like Prolastin) are required for lifelong augmentation therapy in many adults with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. When considering this chronic treatment, many patients ask: Can Prolastin be self-administered? The answer involves understanding the specific product, patient training, and available support programs.

Quick Summary

Prolastin is typically administered by a trained healthcare professional in a clinic or home setting. While direct self-administration by patients is not standard, the PROLASTIN DIRECT program facilitates home infusions by a qualified nurse, offering convenience and support. Specific alpha-1 products vary in their self-infusion approval.

Key Points

No Standard Self-Administration: Prolastin is typically not self-administered by patients, but rather by a trained healthcare professional.
Home Infusion via Nurse: The PROLASTIN DIRECT program facilitates home infusions, where a trained infusion nurse administers the medication at the patient's home.
Intravenous (IV) Infusion: Prolastin therapy is administered intravenously, a process requiring sterile technique and medical expertise for safety.
Product Differences Exist: Other alpha-1 proteinase inhibitors, like Glassia, are approved for self-administration by patients after appropriate training.
Comprehensive Support: The PROLASTIN DIRECT program offers logistical support, including medication delivery and insurance coordination, in addition to providing the infusion nurse.
Initial Clinic Infusions: Initial infusions for Prolastin may occur in a clinic or hospital setting to monitor for any side effects.
Patient Training for Other Brands: Self-administration, when permitted, requires extensive patient or caregiver training on sterile techniques and infusion procedures.

Understanding Prolastin-C Administration

Prolastin-C Liquid, a brand of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1PI), is prescribed for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy in adults with emphysema due to severe hereditary alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. This therapy is delivered intravenously, meaning it is infused directly into a vein. The administration of Prolastin requires careful procedure to ensure safety and effectiveness.

While the specific amount is determined by a healthcare professional, infusions typically take about 15 minutes, but the process involves careful preparation, handling, and monitoring. Due to the intravenous nature of the treatment and the need for sterile technique, Prolastin-C is generally administered by a healthcare professional.

Home Infusion with Professional Assistance

While direct, unsupervised self-administration by patients is not the standard for Prolastin, home infusion is a very common and convenient option. The manufacturer offers the PROLASTIN DIRECT® program, which coordinates home infusions for patients.

Through this program, a trained and certified infusion nurse is scheduled to visit the patient's home to perform the weekly infusion. This service allows patients to receive their therapy in the comfort of their own home, eliminating the need for frequent trips to a clinic or infusion center. The program also coordinates the delivery of the medication and necessary supplies directly to the patient's home. This model balances patient convenience with the medical expertise required for safe intravenous administration.

The PROLASTIN DIRECT® Program

This program provides comprehensive support to patients, including:

Insurance Coordination: Assisting patients in navigating their health insurance to cover therapy.
Infusion Scheduling: Arranging for a registered nurse to visit the patient's preferred location (home, work, etc.) for the weekly infusion.
Medication Delivery: Shipping the medication and supplies directly to the patient's home.
24/7 Support: Offering access to alpha-1 expert nurses and pharmacists for questions and assistance.

Comparison of Administration Options

To clarify the differences in how various A1PI products can be administered, the following table compares typical administration options.


Feature	Prolastin-C Liquid (via PROLASTIN DIRECT®)	Other A1PI Brands (e.g., Glassia)	Clinic-Based Administration
Primary Administrator	Trained infusion nurse	Trained patient or caregiver (brand dependent)	Healthcare professional
Administration Setting	Patient's home, work, or travel location	Patient's home or other appropriate setting	Hospital or outpatient clinic
Infusion Frequency	Once weekly	Once weekly	Once weekly
Required Training	Patient is not trained for self-infusion; nurse is trained	Formal training for patient or caregiver is required for self-infusion	None for patient; administered by professional staff
Convenience	High, eliminates need for travel to clinic, but requires scheduling	Highest, offers full flexibility in scheduling	Lowest, requires regular travel to a clinic
Safety Oversight	Immediate professional oversight during infusion	Training teaches proper technique, but patient is responsible	Immediate professional oversight and rapid access to medical staff
Product Format	Ready-to-use liquid	Ready-to-use liquid	Liquid or powder requiring reconstitution

Patient Training and Safety Considerations

For brands like Glassia, which permit self-administration, patients and their caregivers must undergo extensive training before transitioning to self-infusion. This training covers critical skills such as:

Maintaining aseptic (sterile) technique to prevent infection.
Properly preparing and handling the medication.
Inserting the intravenous catheter.
Infusing the drug at the correct rate.
Managing potential complications or adverse events.

The need for careful training highlights the medical complexity of intravenous infusions. Prolastin's model of using a trained nurse ensures this high level of expertise is present during every infusion, minimizing the risks associated with improper administration.

The Role of Support Programs

The availability of programs like PROLASTIN DIRECT and home healthcare support is a key part of modern pharmacology and patient care for chronic conditions. These programs do more than just facilitate home treatment; they provide patients with a dedicated support system to manage their condition, coordinate with their healthcare team, and handle logistics. This integrated care approach empowers patients to manage their therapy effectively while maintaining a high standard of safety and care.

Conclusion

While Prolastin is not typically self-administered by patients, the home infusion process offers a convenient and safe alternative to clinic-based treatment. Through the PROLASTIN DIRECT® program, patients can receive their weekly intravenous infusions at home, administered by a certified infusion nurse. This approach provides the flexibility and independence many patients seek, without compromising the strict medical standards required for intravenous therapy. For those interested in self-infusion, specific brands of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor, like Glassia, offer this possibility after thorough training. It is essential for patients to discuss all their options with their healthcare provider to determine the most suitable and safest method for their needs. For more information on alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, the Alpha-1 Foundation offers valuable resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Prolastin is not typically self-administered. While it is an alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor, its administration is generally performed by a trained healthcare professional, either in a clinic or during a coordinated home visit through the PROLASTIN DIRECT program.

Yes, you can receive Prolastin infusions at home. The PROLASTIN DIRECT program coordinates for a trained infusion nurse to visit your home to administer the weekly therapy, providing a convenient alternative to clinic visits.

The PROLASTIN DIRECT program is a patient support service that handles the logistics of your Prolastin treatment, including insurance verification, coordinating home infusions by a certified nurse, and delivering your medication and supplies.

You do not need to be trained for self-administration of Prolastin, as the infusions are performed by a certified infusion nurse. For other alpha-1 products approved for self-infusion, however, extensive patient or caregiver training is required.

A Prolastin-C Liquid infusion typically takes approximately 15 minutes, provided it is administered at the recommended rate and is well-tolerated by the patient.

Prolastin is one of several alpha-1 proteinase inhibitors (A1PIs). Another brand, Glassia, is explicitly approved by the FDA for self-administration by patients or caregivers following proper training.

Home infusion with a nurse offers increased convenience and flexibility by allowing you to receive your therapy at home or another location, avoiding the need for weekly travel to a clinic or hospital.

Your first few Prolastin infusions will likely be in a clinic or infusion center to allow a healthcare team to closely monitor you for any side effects or allergic reactions before transitioning to home therapy.