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Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Odevixibat

Odevixibat

(oh" de vi' i bat)

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Odevixibat is used to treat itching caused by familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC; a liver disease in which the flow of bile from the liver is blocked) or Alagille syndrome (ALCS; an inherited condition in which bile builds up in the liver and causes liver damage). Odevixibat is in a class of medications called ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitors. It works by decreasing the level of bile acids from the small intestine.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

HOW should this medicine be used?

Odevixibat comes as a capsule and as pellets to take by mouth. Take once daily in the morning with a meal. Take odevixibat at around the same time every day.

Take odevixibat exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow capsules whole with a glass of water; do not chew or crush them. If you are unable to swallow the capsules whole, you can open the capsule(s) and mix the contents with soft food or liquid.

If you are taking the pellets or the contents of the capsules with soft food, place up to 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of soft food such as apple sauce, oatmeal, banana or carrot puree, or chocolate or rice pudding in a bowl. Keep food at or below room temperature. Open the capsules or shell(s) containing the pellets and empty the entire contents into the bowl. Tap the shell(s) to ensure that all of the medication is in the food. Gently mix the food to disperse the medication. Take the mixture immediately. Follow the dose by drinking water, baby formula, or breast milk. Do not store the mixture for future use.

If you are mixing the pellets or the contents of the capsule(s) with a liquid, open the capsule(s) or shell(s) containing the pellets and empty the entire contents into an empty small cup. Add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of a liquid such as water, baby formula or breast milk. Allow the pellets to sit in the liquid for about 5 minutes. The pellets will not dissolve. Using an oral syringe, place the tip of the syringe into the dosing cup. Pull the plunger up to withdraw the mixture into the syringe and gently push the plunger down to push the mixture back into the cup. Repeat this 2 or 3 times to make sure the pellets are mixed well. Withdraw the mixture into the syringe and slowly squirt the medication directly into the mouth, towards the inside of their cheek and swallow. Follow the dose by drinking water, baby formula, or breast milk. Do not store the mixture for future use.

If you are taking odevixibat for PFIC, your doctor may increase your dose if your symptoms do not improve after 3 months of treatment.

Your doctor may need to reduce your dosage or interrupt or discontinue your treatment if you experience certain side effects. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking odevixibat,

  • tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

  • if you are taking a bile acid resin such as cholestyramine (Locholest®, Prevalite®), colesevelam (WelChol®), or colestipol (Colestid®), take odevixibat 4 hours after or 4 hours before you take a bile acid resin.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver problems. Your doctor may tell you not to take odevixibat.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking odevixibat, call your doctor.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Odevixibat may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • stomach pain
  • vomiting
  • decreased weight

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • yellow eyes or skin; loss of appetite; dark urine; or pain or discomfort in right upper stomach area
  • extreme thirst, dry mouth and/or skin, sunken eyes, or fast heartbeat
  • diarrhea
  • unusual bleeding or bruising; bleeding gums; bloody, black, or tarry stools; or vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Odevixibat may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Dispose the empty capsule or pellets shell(s) into the household trash.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your body's response to odevixibat.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Name(s): Bylvay®

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

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