Treats a hereditary condition called tyrosinemia, which causes your body to produce too much of an amino acid called tyrosine. This condition can cause unwanted effects on the liver and kidneys. This medicine will not cure tyrosinemia, but can be used together with diet to control the amount of tyrosine in your body
Brand Names:
Orfadin
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to nitisinone
Uses:
Capsule
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. You may need to restrict or avoid dairy products, meats, fish, eggs, almonds, avocados, bananas, soy, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and many other foods that contain tyrosine.
It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least one hour before a meal.
If you cannot swallow the capsule, you may open it and pour the medicine into a small amount of water or applesauce. Stir this mixture well and swallow it without chewing.
If you are giving this medicine to an infant, you may open the capsule and mix the medicine with a small amount of liquid baby formula.
Never share your medicine with anyone.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. You may also need to have regular eye examinations and ultrasounds of your liver. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
