Health Library

Eliglustat (By mouth)

Eliglustat (el-i-GLOO-stat)

Treats type I Gaucher disease.

Brand Name(s):

Cerdelga

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not crush, break, chew, or open it.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how eliglustat works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Colchicine, dabigatran, digoxin, metoprolol, ranitidine, rifampin, St John's wort
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)
  • Medicine to treat depression (including amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine)
  • Medicine to treat fungal infection (including fluconazole, ketoconazole, terbinafine)
  • Phenothiazine medicine (including chlorpromazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, thioridazine)
  • Seizure medicine (including carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
• If you have been using imiglucerase, velaglucerase alfa, or taliglucerase alfa, you may begin eliglustat 24 hours after you take the last dose of these medicines.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart failure, heart rhythm problems (including long QT syndrome, slow heartbeat), or a history of heart attack.
• This medicine may cause heart rhythm problems.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fainting or dizziness
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back, joint, or muscle pain
• Cough, sore throat
• Diarrhea, nausea, gas, heartburn, stomach pain or upset
• Headache
• Tiredness or weakness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024