Ravicti

Ravicti is used for the treatment of urea cycle disorders together with a proper diet. This medicine is used in those patients who cannot be managed with amino acid supplements and a low-protein diet.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution

Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Ravicti. So, the benefits of a drug should always be weighed against its associated risks. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them. Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.

Age-specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in children between the age of 2 months to 2 years.

The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not been carried out, that would limit the use of this drug in old age group.

Pregnancy: Regarding the safety of usage of this drug during pregnancy, it comes under “C” category, which means that clinical trials on animals have revealed harmful effects to the developing fetus or relevant studies have not been performed.

Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together.

So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco.

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from, especially:

• Intestinal malabsorption (trouble absorbing food in the intestines) or
• Kidney disease or
• Pancreatic insufficiency (trouble digesting food properly caused by lack of enzymes made by the pancreas)—May does not work properly in patients with these conditions.
• Nerve problems—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.
• Liver disease

To use Ravicti properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. An oral syringe or dosing cup should be used to measure the dose. This medicine can also be used with a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube (g-tube).

To use the oral liquid with a nasogastric tube or g-tube:

• Use an oral syringe to measure your dose and place it on the tip of the nasogastric tube or g-tube.
• Inject the medicine into the tube.
• Flush the tube with 30 mL of water to rinse all of the medicine into the stomach.
• Rinse the tube again with additional 30 mL of water to clear the tube.

To avoid adverse effects, this drug should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not overuse or misuse this drug and do not use it longer than the recommended time. Read all the instructions mentioned in the medication guide.

Do not miss any dose. The dose of this drug varies according to the condition of each person. The number of doses per day, the time interval between the doses and the length of time you have to take the medicine depends on your condition individually and all these factors should only be determined by your healthcare provider. Follow each and every instruction of your doctor and also read the label carefully.

In case you miss one dose of this drug, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your subsequent dose, you can then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Storage: This medicine should be stored at room temperature within a closed container, away from heat, direct light, and moisture. Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Do not store expired or outdated medicines or the medicine no longer needed.

If you take Ravicti, your doctor should perform routine checkups and advise you in taking precautions.

Contact your doctor right away if you have tingling, burning, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs, headache, confusion, lightheadedness, memory problems, sleepiness or unusual drowsiness, change or loss of taste, hearing loss, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may indicate a more serious problem.

Regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment. It is important to allow your doctor to monitor your progress and to make sure that there aren’t any side effects from the medication.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment. The doctor may order some blood tests in order to determine the blood levels of the drug.

Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Ravicti. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• nausea or vomiting
• bloated or full feeling
• the increase in the frequency of seizures
• diarrhea
• swelling of the face
• loss of appetite
• tiredness and weakness
• headache
• passing gas
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• nausea
• rash
• acid or sour stomach
• upper abdominal or stomach pain
• vomiting
• belching
• stomach discomfort or upset
• heartburn
• indigestion

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on this medication. Also contact your health care professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug.

If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.