miglustat

Generic Name: miglustat (mi GLOO stat)

Brand Names: Zavesca

What is miglustat?

Miglustat may reduce the formation of the protein glucosylceramide in the body. Individuals with type 1 Gaucher disease (a hereditary disorder) are missing an enzyme to break down glucosylceramide in the body. Therefore, it may build up in the tissues and cause problems. Untreated Gaucher disease may result in anemia (low level of red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low level of platelets), bone disease, hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver), or splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen).

Miglustat is used in the treatment of mild to moderate type 1 Gaucher disease by people who cannot receive enzyme replacement therapy.

Miglustat may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What is the most important information I should know about miglustat?

Nerve problems such as numbness, tingling, and tremor (shaking) of the hands have been reported by some people taking miglustat. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience new or worsening numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands, arms, legs, or feet or tremor in the hands.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking miglustat?

Before taking miglustat, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, any other medical conditions, or if you take any other medicines. You may not be able to take miglustat, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. Miglustat is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that miglustat is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take miglustat without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Use of birth control is recommended for women during treatment with miglustat. Because miglustat can also affect sperm, birth control is also recommended for men during, and for three months following, treatment with miglustat. It is not known whether miglustat passes into breast milk and if it will affect a nursing baby. Do not take miglustat without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take miglustat?

Take miglustat exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take miglustat at the same time or times each day as directed by your doctor.

Swallow each capsule whole with a full glass of water.

Miglustat can be taken with or without food.

It is important to take miglustat regularly to get the most benefit.

Your doctor may want you to have neurological tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with miglustat to monitor progress and side effects.

Store miglustat at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Miglustat dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of miglustat, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a miglustat overdose are not well known but may include dizziness, numbness and tingling, and blood problems.

What should I avoid while taking miglustat?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with miglustat unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Miglustat side effects

Nerve problems such as numbness, tingling, and tremor (shaking) of the hands have been reported by some people taking miglustat. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience new or worsening numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands, arms, legs, or feet or tremor in the hands. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience a rare but serious allergic reaction to miglustat including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take miglustat and talk to your doctor if you experience:

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  diarrhea;

  
  


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  decreased appetite or weight loss;

  
  


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  gas or abdominal pain;

  
  


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  constipation;

  
  


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  muscle cramps or weakness;

  
  


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  headache;

  
  


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  dizziness; or

  
  


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  vision problems.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Miglustat Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Gaucher Disease:

Initial dose: 100 mg orally 3 times a day at regular intervals

What other drugs will affect miglustat?

Miglustat is not intended for use with imiglucerase (Cerezyme), another treatment for type 1 Gaucher disease.

There are no known interactions between miglustat and other medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with miglustat.

More miglustat resources

• Miglustat Side Effects (in more detail)
• Miglustat Dosage
• Miglustat Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Miglustat Drug Interactions
• Miglustat Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Miglustat - Add your own review/rating

• miglustat Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Miglustat Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Miglustat MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Miglustat Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Zavesca Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zavesca Consumer Overview

Compare miglustat with other medications

• Gaucher Disease

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about miglustat.

See also: miglustat side effects (in more detail)