Making the most of Zavesca
Zavesca can provide true benefits to people with type 1 Gaucher disease. Still, keep in mind that Zavesca may take some time to work in ways you can notice.
Learn moreOther Considerations While Taking Zavesca
To make the most of Zavesca therapy, you and your doctor may want to consider making some changes to your diet.
Learn moreChanging your diet can make a difference.
Help yourself by making healthy choices.
Click to download
Simple Steps for making the most of Zavesca.
Click to download
In people with type 1 Gaucher disease, the body has an excess of fatty substances called glycosphingolipids (gli-coh-sfing-goh-lip-ids).1 These fatty substances are harmful when they build up in cells.1 Zavesca works by limiting the body's production of these fatty substances, which helps control your disease.1
Just as it limits overproduction of these fatty substances, Zavesca may also limit how the body digests carbohydrates.1 Carbohydrates are found in grains, bread, rice, and flour. Simple sugars, found in things like soda, cookies, or desserts, are also carbohydrates. Zavesca may affect how long carbohydrates stay in the intestines, so carbohydrates may be digested more slowly than normal and can cause diarrhea and gas.1
While many people who take Zavesca may get gas, loose stools, or diarrhea, in most patients these side effects will go away or decrease over time.1
Taking the simple step of reducing carbohydrates in the diet may help manage these side effects. You don't need to cut these items out of your diet, but it is advisable to decrease the amount of starchy foods you eat as your body adjusts to Zavesca. Also, try to avoid large servings of starchy foods at one time.1
After being on Zavesca for about a month, your body may adjust to therapy and you may be able to slowly bring certain foods back into your diet. Work with your doctor or dietitian to decide what is best for you. Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter medications to help control gas and diarrhea.1
You may know people who have allergies to wheat or trouble digesting carbohydrates like grains. They help control their gas and bloating by watching their diet and avoiding certain foods. If you experience diarrhea or gas with Zavesca, a change in diet may often be very helpful.
Talk to your doctor first before making any changes to your diet.
What is ZAVESCA?
ZAVESCA is a prescription medicine taken by mouth for adults with mild to moderate type 1 Gaucher disease. ZAVESCA is used only in people who cannot be treated with enzyme replacement therapy.
Important Safety Information for Zavesca:
In clinical studies, the most common adverse events due to Zavesca included weight loss, diarrhea, and trembling in the hand (tremor). Other common adverse reactions were excess gas (flatulence), abdominal pain, and headache. The most common serious adverse reaction was tingling or numbness in the hands or feet with or without pain (peripheral neuropathy). Patients should undergo neurological examination at the start of treatment and every 6 months thereafter; Zavesca should be reassessed in patients who develop symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Zavesca may cause fetal harm if administered to a pregnant woman. Men should maintain reliable contraceptive methods and not plan to father a child while taking Zavesca and for 3 months after discontinuing treatment.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
REF:
| 1. | Please see full product information. |
|---|
