Cerdelga (Eliglustat)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Cerdelga Used For?
Cerdelga contains eliglustat and is specifically designed for adults with Gaucher disease type 1, a rare inherited condition that requires lifelong treatment.
Primary Uses
Cerdelga is used for the long-term treatment of adult patients with Gaucher disease type 1. This is a rare, inherited condition where a substance called glucosylceramide builds up in the cells of your spleen, liver and bones, preventing these organs from working properly.
How It Works
Cerdelga belongs to a group of medicines that decrease the production of glucosylceramide in the body. By reducing the production of this substance, it prevents the harmful build-up and helps your affected organs work better.
Good to know: Your doctor will determine if Cerdelga is suitable for you using a simple laboratory test that checks how fast your body breaks down the medicine.
How to Take Cerdelga
The dosage of Cerdelga depends on how fast your body breaks down the medicine. Your doctor will determine this through testing and prescribe the appropriate dose for you.
Dosage Instructions
If you are an intermediate or extensive metabolizer: Take one 84 mg capsule twice daily – one in the morning and one at night. If you are a poor metabolizer: Take one 84 mg capsule once daily at the same time each day. Swallow capsules whole with a full glass of water. Do not open, crush, dissolve, or chew the capsule. Can be taken with or without food. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit products as they may increase Cerdelga levels in your blood.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose to make up for it. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. If there’s still a long time before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Take Cerdelga at the same time each day for best results.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Indigestion
- Stomach ache
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Bloating
- Feeling of hard or irregular heartbeat
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Joint pain
- Cough
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Fainting (tell your doctor immediately if you feel faint or have fainted)
- Signs of overdose: dizziness with loss of balance, slow heart rate, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness
Important Warnings
Before starting Cerdelga, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor, as certain conditions and drugs can affect how safely you can use this medicine.
Who Should Not Take Cerdelga
Do not use Cerdelga if you are allergic to eliglustat or any ingredients in the capsules. Do not use if you are taking certain other medicines that interfere with how your body breaks down Cerdelga (your doctor will check this). Do not use if you have liver or kidney problems until consulting with your doctor.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: liver or kidney problems, heart attack or heart failure, slow heart rate, irregular or abnormal heart beat (including long QT syndrome), any other heart problems. Also inform your doctor if you’re taking medicines for irregular heartbeat (antiarrhythmic medicines) such as quinidine, amiodarone, or sotalol.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Cerdelga. It is unknown if Cerdelga enters breast milk, so breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.
Children Under 18: Do not give Cerdelga to children under 18 years old. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Many medicines can interfere with Cerdelga by affecting how your body breaks it down, which can result in dangerous levels of the drug in your blood. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit products as they may increase Cerdelga levels in your blood to dangerous levels.
- Antidepressants (paroxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, duloxetine, moclobemide)
- Heart rhythm medicines (quinidine, dronedarone, verapamil)
- Smoking cessation aids (bupropion)
- Immunosuppressants (ciclosporin)
- Antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin, rifabutin)
- Antifungals (terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole)
- HIV medicines (atazanavir, darunavir, ritonavir, and others)
- Anti-seizure medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
- Blood thinners (dabigatran)
- Heart medicines (digoxin, metoprolol)
- St. John’s wort
- Goldenseal
Alcohol & Driving
Cerdelga may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, and you should discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor needs to know about your alcohol consumption when prescribing Cerdelga.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Cerdelga affects you. Cerdelga may cause dizziness in some people, which could impair your ability to drive safely.
Storage
Keep capsules in their original pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Cerdelga, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Overdose symptoms may include dizziness with loss of balance, slow heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and light-headedness. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gaucher disease type 1 is a lifelong condition, so you must continue taking Cerdelga as prescribed by your doctor to gain maximum benefit. This is a long-term treatment.
Yes, Cerdelga can be taken with or without food. Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water.
Do not open, crush, dissolve, or chew the capsule. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, tell your doctor who can advise you on alternatives.
Do not stop taking Cerdelga suddenly or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor first. This could affect the management of your Gaucher disease.
Grapefruit and grapefruit products can increase the level of Cerdelga in your blood, which could lead to dangerous side effects.
Always remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist that you’re taking Cerdelga. Provide your Cerdelga Patient Card to healthcare professionals, and tell surgeons or anesthetists before any surgery.
Your doctor will determine if Cerdelga is suitable for you using a simple laboratory test that checks how fast your body breaks down the medicine before you start taking it.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.