Maralixibat
Maralixibat is used to treat itching caused by Alagille syndrome (ALGS, an inherited condition in which bile builds up in the liver and causes liver damage) in adults and children 1 year of age or older. Maralixibat is in a class of medications called ileal bile acid transporter inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of bile acids in the body.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Maralixibat comes as a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day, thirty minutes before the first meal of the day. Take maralixibat at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take maralixibat exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of maralixibat and increase your dose after one week.
Use an oral syringe (measuring device) to accurately measure and take your dose of maralixibat solution. Ask your pharmacist for an oral syringe if one is not included with your medication. Do not use a household teaspoon to measure the solution. Replace each oral syringe after using it for 30 days or if it becomes damaged or hasn’t been cleaned. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how to clean the oral syringe. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you if you have any questions.
Follow these steps to measure the dose using the syringe provided:
- Open the bottle by pushing down on the cap and turning the cap at the same time.
- Push the plunger of the measuring device completely down to the tip.
- Insert the tip of the measuring device firmly into the opening on the top of the bottle.
- Turn the bottle (with the measuring device attached) upside down.
- Pull back on the plunger slowly until the amount of liquid prescribed by your doctor fills the measuring device to the appropriate marking. If you are not sure how to correctly measure the dose your doctor has prescribed, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Turn the bottle (with the measuring device attached) right-side up and slowly remove the measuring device.
- Take maralixibat directly into your mouth from the measuring device; you should do this while sitting or standing.
- Replace the cap on the bottle and close tightly.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how to clean the oral syringe.
- Call your doctor or pharmacist to find out how you should measure a dose of maralixibat solution if you do not have the measuring device that came with this medication.
Maralixibat controls itching caused by Alagille syndrome but does not cure it. Continue to take maralixibat even if you feel well. Do not stop taking maralixibat without talking to your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Preventable medical errors kill about 22,000 patients a year, according to research from the Yale School of Medicine. That’s much less than a previously reported number of 250,000 deaths a year where medical error is to blame.
