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Zavesca

Generic Name: miglustat (MIH glue stat)
Brand Names: Zavesca

What is miglustat?

Miglustat may reduce the formation of the protein glucosylceramide in the body. Individuals with type 1 Gaucher disease (a hereditary disorder) are missing an enzyme to break down glucosylceramide in the body. Therefore, it may build up in the tissues and cause problems. Untreated Gaucher disease may result in anemia (low level of red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low level of platelets), bone disease, hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver), or splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen).

Miglustat is used in the treatment of mild to moderate type 1 Gaucher disease by people who cannot receive enzyme replacement therapy.

Miglustat may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What is the most important information I should know about miglustat?

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking miglustat?

How should I take miglustat?

Take miglustat exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take miglustat at the same time or times each day as directed by your doctor.

Miglustat can be taken with or without food.

It is important to take miglustat regularly to get the most benefit.

Your doctor may want you to have neurological tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with miglustat to monitor progress and side effects.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of miglustat, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a miglustat overdose are not well known but may include dizziness, numbness and tingling, and blood problems.

What should I avoid while taking miglustat?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with miglustat unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Miglustat side effects

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take miglustat and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• diarrhea;

• decreased appetite or weight loss;

• gas or abdominal pain;

• constipation;

• muscle cramps or weakness;

• headache;

• dizziness; or

• vision problems.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect miglustat?

Miglustat is not intended for use with imiglucerase (Cerezyme), another treatment for type 1 Gaucher disease.

There are no known interactions between miglustat and other medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with miglustat.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about miglustat written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Miglustat is available with a prescription under the brand name Zavesca. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Zavesca 100 mg-white capsules

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.