Fulyzaq

Fulyzaq, an anti-diarrheal medication, is used to for the symptomatic relief of non-infectious diarrhea in adult HIV/AIDS patients, who are taking anti-retroviral medications. It is only available with a prescription.

It comes in delayed-release tablet form.

Before using Fulyzaq, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Your doctor needs to run appropriate laboratory exams before prescribing Crofelemer. As mentioned earlier, this medication is used to treat non-infectious diarrhea symptoms, and therefore, an infectious cause must be ruled out first. You and your doctor also need to discuss the risks and benefits related to Crofelemer use.

If you’ve had allergic reactions to medicines similar to Crofelemer, notify your physician. You also need to inform your healthcare team if you want any allergy to food, preservatives, dye, and other drugs.

The effects of this medication in children younger than 18 years old have not been studied enough. There have also been insufficient studies on the effects of Crofelemer on geriatric patients in comparison with younger adults. However, geriatric-specific problems brought about by this medication have not been documented.

Crofelemer has a pregnancy category C for all trimesters, which means that not enough studies on pregnant women have been done. However, given the evidence of fetal harm found in animal studies, this medication should be used with caution and only if absolutely necessary.

For nursing mothers, using Crofelemer may pass through breast milk and cause harm to the child. Therefore, you and your physician need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or not take this medication. You and your doctor also need to consider the possible interactions Crofelemer might have with other medications.

Again, Crofelemer should not be used to treat diarrhea symptoms with infectious etiologies.

To use Fulyzaq correctly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Follow the prescribed dosage, timing, and treatment duration. Oral crofelemer can be taken with or without food. However, the tablet should not be crushed, broken or chewed. It must be swallowed whole in order for the body to absorb it well.

Dosage may differ per patient. It depends on your condition. Generally, however, the dosage indicated for adult HIV/AIDS patients is 125 mg twice a day. If you missed a dose, take it right away unless the next timing is near. If so, you should skip the forgotten dose and resume the normal schedule.

Keep this medication in a closed container at room temperature. Make sure your children cannot reach it.

Do not exposure it direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.

You need to take necessary precautions if you are on Fulyzaq therapy. Again, an infectious origin of the diarrhea must be ruled out before initiating treatment. If the cause of your symptoms is not determined and you receive Crofelemer, there is a chance that your condition might get worse because the real culprit is not treated.

While you are taking Crofelemer, make sure that you go to your checkups diligently. This makes it easier for your physician to monitor your condition and treat or prevent any side effects.

If you feel that your symptoms have gotten worse, notify your doctor immediately.

There are a number of side effects associated with Fulyzaq, although you will only experience some of them. Side effects may or may not need medical attention. However, if you experience:

• abdominal pain
• bleeding after defecation
• bloated sensation
• pressure in the stomach
• abdominal swelling
• and uncomfortable swelling around the anus, inform your physician right away.

Side effects that may go away without treatment include:

• body pain, fever or chills, cough, breathing difficulty, ear/nasal congestion, headache, runny nose, sore throat and unusual tiredness or weakness. These are the most common reactions.

Less common ones include:

• back pain
• belching
• sour stomach
• bladder pain
• skin blemishes
• bloody urine
• productive cough
• dry skin
• difficulty with moving
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fear or nervousness
• heartburn
• irritability
• loss of interest or pleasure
• lower back or side pain
• muscle stiffness
• nausea and vomiting
• pain in the groin or genitals
• joint pain
• blisters on the trunk of the body
• passing gas
• chest tightness
• and trouble concentrating.

If your symptoms do not get better or you experience those that are not listed, notify your physician as soon as possible.