Overview
11 DESCRIPTION The active ingredient in GATTEX (teduglutide) for injection is teduglutide, which is a 33 amino acid glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog manufactured using a strain of Escherichia coli modified by recombinant DNA technology. The chemical composition of teduglutide is...
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Teduglutide is an analog of naturally occurring human glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), a peptide secreted by L-cells of the distal intestine. GLP-2 is known to increase intestinal and portal blood flow and inhibit gastric acid secretion. Teduglutide binds to the glucagon-like peptide-2 receptors located in intestinal subpopulations of enteroendocrine cells, subepithelial myofibroblasts and enteric neurons of the submucosal and myenteric plexus. Activation of these receptors results in the local release of multiple mediators including insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, nitric oxide and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). 12.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE GATTEX ® is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 1 year of age and older with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) who are dependent on parenteral support . GATTEX ® is a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 1 year of age and older with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) who are dependent on parenteral support. ( 1 )
Common Doses
- 5 mg
- 0.05 mg
- 60 mL
- 0.025 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Important Administration Information GATTEX is for adult self-administration or caregiver administration. Self-administration in pediatric patients has not been tested. Use of the GATTEX 5 mg kit is not recommended in pediatric patients weighing less than 10 kg. ( 2.1 ) Evaluation Testing within 6 Months Prior to Starting GATTEX Adult Patients : Perform a colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy with removal of polyps. ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Pediatric Patients : Perform fecal occult blood testing.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Acceleration of Neoplastic Growth [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Intestinal Obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Biliary and Pancreatic Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Fluid Imbalance and Fluid Overload [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Most common adverse reactions (≥10%) are: abdominal pain, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, abdominal distension, injection site reaction, vomiting, fluid overload, and hypersensitivity. ( 6.
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Potential for Increased Absorption of Oral Medications Based upon the pharmacodynamic effect of GATTEX, there is a potential for increased absorption of concomitant oral medications. Altered mental status has been observed in patients taking GATTEX and benzodiazepines in the adult clinical studies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . Monitor patients on concomitant oral drugs requiring titration or with a narrow therapeutic index for adverse reactions related to the concomitant drug while on GATTEX. The concomitant drug may require a reduction in dosage.