Prepare for Generic Glycerol Phenylbutyrate

Generic glycerol phenylbutyrate is expected to become available for patients before the end of this year. Your patients' treatment coverage and costs will be impacted. Prepare now by reviewing these resources to learn more.

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Use these important downloads and resources for help with navigating upcoming changes.

RAVICTI Patient Enrollment Form icon

A form that can be filled out with your patient and submitted to initiate patient treatment with RAVICTI.

RAVICTI Dosing Brochure icon

A helpful resource providing quickly accessible reminders on RAVICTI dose considerations.

RAVICTI Access Roadmap icon

Use this resource to learn about patient access and coverage.

UCD PEF Implementation Guide icon

Use this step-by-step guide to complete the Patient Enrollment Form accurately for patient enrollment in Amgen By Your Side.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Generic Glycerol Phenylbutyrate

  • What will happen when generic glycerol phenylbutyrate medicines become available?

    We expect that insurers will require all patients to move to generics over time. Any changes to generic glycerol phenylbutyrate medicines will be determined by a variety of factors and individual per patient.

  • How will Amgen continue supporting UCD patients?

    RAVICTI will continue to be available for those prescribed our medicine and Amgen will continue to provide patient support for those taking RAVICTI.

    • Patients can talk to their Amgen Patient Access Liaison (PAL) about patient support resources available to them while they are taking RAVICTI.

    Once a patient is switched to a generic medicine, they can reach out to their insurance company to understand any potential changes in cost.

    • Patients with questions about patient support resources at companies selling generic medications will need to contact them for information.
  • How do the generic glycerol phenylbutyrate medicines differ from RAVICTI? / Do these differences create any risks for patient care?

    Generic medicines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work the same way and provide the same clinical benefit as the brand-name medication.

    • A generic is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.
    • A generic medicine must be the same as a brand-name medicine in dosage form, route of administration, safety, effectiveness, strength, and labeling (with certain limited exceptions). It must also meet the same high standards of quality and manufacturing as the brand-name product, and it must be and quality, taken and used in the same way as well. This standard applies to all generic medicines.

    Generic medicines may have minor differences, such as inactive ingredients, that do not affect efficacy or safety and come in different packaging. Generic glycerol phenylbutyrate medicines will not have the name RAVICTI on the packaging or bottle. More can be found on the FDA website at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/frequently-asked-questions-popular-topics/generic-drugs-questions-answers

  • What information do I need to deliver to my patients if we intend to switch to a generic once available?
    We recommend ensuring patients are aware that:
    • Switching to a generic medicine could change the out-of-pocket cost for the patient’s medication, depending on their insurance.
    • Once a patient is switched to a generic medicine, they can reach out to their insurance company to understand any potential changes in cost.
    In addition, we encourage individuals to take advantage of UCD community support and educational resources.
  • How are you supporting patients through the transition? Will you continue to support the UCD community? What services will Amgen continue to provide?

    We expect insurance companies will eventually switch all patients to generic glycerol phenylbutyrate medicines and encourage the community to take this time to learn about and prepare for these expected changes. We have consistently kept patients at the center of our Urea Cycle Disorder (UCD) program and our values will continue to guide our activities through the expected transition to generic medicines.

    RAVICTI will continue to be available for those prescribed our medicine and Amgen will continue to provide patient support for those taking RAVICTI. Once a patient is switched to a generic medicine, they can reach out to their insurance company to understand any potential changes in cost. Patients with questions about patient support resources at companies selling generic medications will need to contact those companies for information.

transitioning-generic

Consult this resource for a summary of how medicine may change for patients currently on RAVICTI.

Insurance-changes

Consult this resource for a summary of upcoming changes to coverage and cost for patients currently on RAVICTI.

Letter of Medical Necessity Template

A customizable letter template for HCPs who are submitting a Prior Authorization for specific patient cases seeking payor access.

Patient assessment follow-up

A customizable letter to appeal the denial of treatment with RAVICTI on behalf of your patient.

Payor Appeal Letter Checklist and Tips

A checklist to follow to appeal a denied request for patient treatment with RAVICTI.

RAVICTI Access Roadmap icon

A resource to learn about patient access and coverage.

Prior Authorization Checklist

A checklist of common criteria that may be requested for starting your patient on RAVICTI.

Patient assessment follow-up

Use this guide to assess management of urea cycle disorders (UCDs) for patients who have transitioned to RAVICTI.

Supporting patients with UCDs

Metabolic dieticians and genetic counselors are among the providers who work closely with patients throughout their UCD treatment journey and provide patients with education on topics such as family planning and relationship building. Support your patients with UCDs by helping them

  • Balance dietary preferences with needs and restrictions
  • Understand and explain UCDs to friends and family

Find a Metabolic
Specialist

Locate a specialist
experienced in treating
patients with UCD near you
or your patient.

Optimize RAVICTI
Dosage

Determine your patient’s
plasma PAA:PAGN ratio and urinary
PAGN level.

Dosage
Guide

Determine appropriate
dosing of RAVICTI for your
patients.

Help prepare your patients for the transition to generic glycerol
phenylbutyrate and changes to cost and coverage.

View Resources

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INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATION

RAVICTI (glycerol phenylbutyrate) Oral Liquid is indicated for use as a nitrogen-binding agent for chronic management of patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) who cannot be managed by dietary protein restriction and/or supplementation alone. RAVICTI must be used with dietary protein restriction and, in some cases, dietary supplements (e.g. essential amino acids, arginine, citrulline, protein-free calorie supplements).

LIMITATIONS OF USE
  • RAVICTI is not indicated for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia in patients with UCDs because more rapidly acting interventions are essential to reduce plasma ammonia levels.
  • The safety and efficacy of RAVICTI for the treatment of N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency has not been established.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Patients with known hypersensitivity to phenylbutyrate: Reactions include wheezing, dyspnea, coughing, hypotension, flushing, nausea, and rash.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
  • Neurotoxicity: Phenylacetate (PAA), the major metabolite of RAVICTI, may be toxic at levels of 500 micrograms/mL or greater. If symptoms of vomiting, nausea, headache, somnolence, or confusion, are present in the absence of high ammonia or other intercurrent illness which explains these symptoms, consider the potential for PAA neurotoxicity which may need reduction in the RAVICTI dosage.
  • Pancreatic Insufficiency or Intestinal Malabsorption: Low or absent pancreatic enzymes or intestinal disease resulting in fat malabsorption may result in reduced or absent digestion of RAVICTI and/or absorption of phenylbutyrate and reduced control of plasma ammonia. Monitor ammonia levels closely.
ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials (at least 10% of patients) were:

  • Adult patients: diarrhea, flatulence, and headache occurred during 4-week treatment (n=45) with RAVICTI; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, dizziness, headache, and fatigue occurred during 12-month treatment (n=51) with RAVICTI.
  • Pediatric patients ages 2 to 17 years: upper abdominal pain, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and headache occurred during 12-month treatment (n=26) with RAVICTI.
  • Pediatric patients ages 2 months to less than 2 years: neutropenia, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, pyrexia, hypophagia, cough, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, rash, and papule occurred during 12-month treatment (n=17) with RAVICTI.
  • Pediatric patients less than 2 months of age: vomiting, rash, gastroesophageal reflux, increased hepatic enzymes, feeding disorder (decreased appetite, hypophagia), anemia, cough, dehydration, metabolic acidosis, thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, lymphocytosis, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, pyrexia, lethargy, and irritability/agitation occurred during 24-month treatment (n=16) with RAVICTI.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Corticosteroids, valproic acid, or haloperidol may increase plasma ammonia level. Monitor ammonia levels closely.
  • Probenecid may affect renal excretion of metabolites of RAVICTI, including phenylacetylglutamine (PAGN) and PAA.
  • CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic index (eg, alfentanil, quinidine, cyclosporine): RAVICTI may decrease exposure to the concomitant drug.
  • Midazolam: Use of RAVICTI decreased exposure of midazolam with concomitant use.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
  • Pregnancy: RAVICTI should be used with caution in patients who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Based on animal data, RAVICTI may cause fetal harm. Report pregnancies to Amgen at 1‐866‐479‐6742.
  • Lactation: breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with RAVICTI. There are no data on the presence of RAVICTI in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, nor the effects on milk production.

Please see Full Prescribing Information.

Use and Important Safety Information

What is the most important safety information I should know about RAVICTI?
 RAVICTI may cause serious side effects, including:
Nervous system side effects (Neurotoxicity) Phenylacetate (PAA), a breakdown product of RAVICTI, may cause nervous system side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms while taking RAVICTI:

  • sleepiness
  • lightheadedness
  • change in taste
  • problems with hearing
  • confusion
  • problems with memory
  • worsening of numbness, tingling, or burning in your hands or feet
  • headache
  • feeling very tired (fatigue)
  • nausea
  • vomiting

Your doctor may do blood tests to measure the amount of PAA in your blood during your treatment with RAVICTI.

What is RAVICTI?

  • RAVICTI (glycerol phenylbutyrate) Oral Liquid is a prescription medicine used for long-term management of high blood levels of ammonia (hyperammonemia) caused by a condition called a urea cycle disorder (UCD). RAVICTI should be used if the UCD cannot be managed with a low-protein diet and dietary supplements alone. RAVICTI must be used along with a low-protein diet and in some cases dietary supplements.
  • RAVICTI is not used for the acute treatment of hyperammonemia in people with UCD.
  • It is not known if RAVICTI is safe and effective for the treatment of N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency.

Do not take RAVICTI if you are allergic to phenylbutyrate. Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you have wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, low blood pressure, flushing, nausea or a rash while taking RAVICTI.

Before taking RAVICTI, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have liver or kidney problems.
  • have pancreas or bowel (intestine) problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if RAVICTI will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with RAVICTI, call Amgen at 1‐866‐479‐6742 to report the pregnancy.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if RAVICTI passes into your breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with RAVICTI. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take RAVICTI.

What are possible side effects of RAVICTI?

RAVICTI may cause serious side effects, including:

  • See "What is the most important information I should know about RAVICTI?"

The most common side effects of RAVICTI in adults include:

  • diarrhea
  • gas
  • headache
  • abdomen (stomach) pain
  • vomiting
  • tiredness
  • decreased appetite
  • indigestion or heartburn

The most common side effects of RAVICTI in children 2 years to 17 years of age include:

  • upper abdomen (stomach) pain
  • rash
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • decreased appetite
  • headache

The most common side effects of RAVICTI in children 2 months to less than 2 years of age include:

  • low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • reduced food intake
  • cough
  • stuffy nose
  • runny nose
  • skin rash
  • small round bumps on the skin

The most common side effects of RAVICTI in children less than 2 months of age include:

  • vomiting
  • rash
  • gastroesophageal reflux
  • increased levels of liver enzymes in the blood
  • decreased appetite and reduced food intake
  • low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • cough
  • loss of too much body fluid (dehydration)
  • too much acid in the blood (acidosis)
  • high blood platelet count (thrombocytosis)
  • low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
  • low blood neutrophil count (type of white blood cell) (neutropenia)
  • high white blood cell count (lymphocytosis)
  • diarrhea
  • gas
  • constipation
  • fever
  • drowsiness (lethargy)
  • irritability
  • agitation

These are not all of the possible side effects of RAVICTI. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional Important Safety Information, click here for the Medication Guide and discuss with your doctor.

Use and Important Safety Information

What is the most important safety information I should know about BUPHENYL?
 BUPHENYL may cause serious side effects, including:
Nervous system side effects (Neurotoxicity) Phenylacetate (PAA), a breakdown product of BUPHENYL, may cause nervous system side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms while taking BUPHENYL:

  • sleepiness
  • weakness
  • lightheadedness
  • problems with memory
  • worsening of numbness, tingling, or burning in your hands or feet
  • change in taste
  • problems with hearing
  • confusion
  • headache

What is BUPHENYL?

  • BUPHENYL® (sodium phenylbutyrate) Tablets is a prescription medicine that can be taken by mouth and BUPHENYL® (sodium phenylbutyrate) Powder is a prescription medicine that can be taken by mouth or feeding tube for the long-term management of high blood levels of ammonia (hyperammonemia) caused by a condition called a urea cycle disorder (UCD).
  • BUPHENYL only treats high blood levels of ammonia in patients with carbamylphosphate synthetase (CPS), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) and argininosuccinic acid synthetase (AS) deficiencies.
  • BUPHENYL can be used in infants up to 28 days old who have a complete enzyme deficiency, and in patients 1 month of age and older who have a partial enzyme deficiency and have a history of brain damage from high blood levels of ammonia.
  • BUPHENYL must be used along with a low-protein diet and in some cases, dietary supplements.
  • BUPHENYL is not used to treat acute (severe) hyperammonemia, which is a medical emergency.

Do not take BUPHENYL if you are allergic to phenylbutyrate. Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you experience an allergic reaction while taking BUPHENYL.

Before taking BUPHENYL, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have heart failure or decreased kidney function, which may lead to retention of the sodium content of BUPHENYL with potentially serious consequences, such as worsening heart failure, high blood pressure, and swelling.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BUPHENYL will harm your unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BUPHENYL passes into your breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with BUPHENYL. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take BUPHENYL.

What are possible side effects of BUPHENYL?

BUPHENYL may cause serious side effects, including:

  • See “What is the most important information I should know about BUPHENYL?”

The most common side effects of BUPHENYL include:

  • decreased appetite
  • body odor
  • bad taste
  • absent or irregular periods in women

These are not all of the possible side effects of BUPHENYL. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional Important Safety Information, click here for the Patient Package Insert and discuss with your doctor.

INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATION

RAVICTI (glycerol phenylbutyrate) Oral Liquid is indicated for use as a nitrogen-binding agent for chronic management of patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) who cannot be managed by dietary protein restriction and/or supplementation alone. RAVICTI must be used with dietary protein restriction and, in some cases, dietary supplements (e.g. essential amino acids, arginine, citrulline, protein-free calorie supplements).

INDICATION

RAVICTI (glycerol phenylbutyrate) Oral Liquid is indicated for use as a nitrogen-binding agent for chronic management of patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) who cannot be managed by dietary protein restriction and/or supplementation alone. RAVICTI must be used with dietary protein restriction and, in some cases, dietary supplements (e.g. essential amino acids, arginine, citrulline, protein-free calorie supplements).

LIMITATIONS OF USE
  • RAVICTI is not indicated for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia in patients with UCDs because more rapidly acting interventions are essential to reduce plasma ammonia levels.
  • The safety and efficacy of RAVICTI for the treatment of N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency has not been established.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Patients with known hypersensitivity to phenylbutyrate: Reactions include wheezing, dyspnea, coughing, hypotension, flushing, nausea, and rash.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
  • Neurotoxicity: Phenylacetate (PAA), the major metabolite of RAVICTI, may be toxic at levels of 500 micrograms/mL or greater. If symptoms of vomiting, nausea, headache, somnolence, or confusion, are present in the absence of high ammonia or other intercurrent illness which explains these symptoms, consider the potential for PAA neurotoxicity which may need reduction in the RAVICTI dosage.
  • Pancreatic Insufficiency or Intestinal Malabsorption: Low or absent pancreatic enzymes or intestinal disease resulting in fat malabsorption may result in reduced or absent digestion of RAVICTI and/or absorption of phenylbutyrate and reduced control of plasma ammonia. Monitor ammonia levels closely.
ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials (at least 10% of patients) were:

  • Adult patients: diarrhea, flatulence, and headache occurred during 4-week treatment (n=45) with RAVICTI; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, dizziness, headache, and fatigue occurred during 12-month treatment (n=51) with RAVICTI.
  • Pediatric patients ages 2 to 17 years: upper abdominal pain, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and headache occurred during 12-month treatment (n=26) with RAVICTI.
  • Pediatric patients ages 2 months to less than 2 years: neutropenia, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, pyrexia, hypophagia, cough, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, rash, and papule occurred during 12-month treatment (n=17) with RAVICTI.
  • Pediatric patients less than 2 months of age: vomiting, rash, gastroesophageal reflux, increased hepatic enzymes, feeding disorder (decreased appetite, hypophagia), anemia, cough, dehydration, metabolic acidosis, thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, lymphocytosis, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, pyrexia, lethargy, and irritability/agitation occurred during 24-month treatment (n=16) with RAVICTI.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Corticosteroids, valproic acid, or haloperidol may increase plasma ammonia level. Monitor ammonia levels closely.
  • Probenecid may affect renal excretion of metabolites of RAVICTI, including phenylacetylglutamine (PAGN) and PAA.
  • CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic index (eg, alfentanil, quinidine, cyclosporine): RAVICTI may decrease exposure to the concomitant drug.
  • Midazolam: Use of RAVICTI decreased exposure of midazolam with concomitant use.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
  • Pregnancy: RAVICTI should be used with caution in patients who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Based on animal data, RAVICTI may cause fetal harm. Report pregnancies to Amgen at 1‐866‐479‐6742.
  • Lactation: breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with RAVICTI. There are no data on the presence of RAVICTI in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, nor the effects on milk production.

Please see Full Prescribing Information.

Use and Important Safety Information


What is the most important safety information I should know about RAVICTI?
 RAVICTI may cause serious side effects, including:
Nervous system side effects (Neurotoxicity) Phenylacetate (PAA), a breakdown product of RAVICTI, may cause nervous system side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms while taking RAVICTI:

  • sleepiness
  • lightheadedness
  • change in taste
  • problems with hearing
  • confusion
  • problems with memory
  • worsening of numbness, tingling, or burning in your hands or feet
  • headache
  • feeling very tired (fatigue)
  • nausea
  • vomiting

Your doctor may do blood tests to measure the amount of PAA in your blood during your treatment with RAVICTI.

What is RAVICTI?

  • RAVICTI (glycerol phenylbutyrate) Oral Liquid is a prescription medicine used for long-term management of high blood levels of ammonia (hyperammonemia) caused by a condition called a urea cycle disorder (UCD). RAVICTI should be used if the UCD cannot be managed with a low-protein diet and dietary supplements alone. RAVICTI must be used along with a low-protein diet and in some cases dietary supplements.
  • RAVICTI is not used for the acute treatment of hyperammonemia in people with UCD.
  • It is not known if RAVICTI is safe and effective for the treatment of N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency.

Do not take RAVICTI if you are allergic to phenylbutyrate. Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you have wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, low blood pressure, flushing, nausea or a rash while taking RAVICTI.

Before taking RAVICTI, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have liver or kidney problems.
  • have pancreas or bowel (intestine) problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if RAVICTI will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with RAVICTI, call Amgen at 1‐866‐479‐6742 to report the pregnancy.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if RAVICTI passes into your breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with RAVICTI. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take RAVICTI.

What are possible side effects of RAVICTI?

RAVICTI may cause serious side effects, including:

  • See "What is the most important information I should know about RAVICTI?"

The most common side effects of RAVICTI in adults include:

  • diarrhea
  • gas
  • headache
  • abdomen (stomach) pain
  • vomiting
  • tiredness
  • decreased appetite
  • indigestion or heartburn

The most common side effects of RAVICTI in children 2 years to 17 years of age include:

  • upper abdomen (stomach) pain
  • rash
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • decreased appetite
  • headache

The most common side effects of RAVICTI in children 2 months to less than 2 years of age include:

  • low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • reduced food intake
  • cough
  • stuffy nose
  • runny nose
  • skin rash
  • small round bumps on the skin

The most common side effects of RAVICTI in children less than 2 months of age include:

  • vomiting
  • rash
  • gastroesophageal reflux
  • increased levels of liver enzymes in the blood
  • decreased appetite and reduced food intake
  • low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • cough
  • loss of too much body fluid (dehydration)
  • too much acid in the blood (acidosis)
  • high blood platelet count (thrombocytosis)
  • low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
  • low blood neutrophil count (type of white blood cell) (neutropenia)
  • high white blood cell count (lymphocytosis)
  • diarrhea
  • gas
  • constipation
  • fever
  • drowsiness (lethargy)
  • irritability
  • agitation

These are not all of the possible side effects of RAVICTI. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional Important Safety Information, click here for the Medication Guide and discuss with your doctor.