KUVAN is half of the equation

Although KUVAN may be able to help reduce blood Phe levels in PKU patients, the PKU diet will always be an important part of their lives.

PKU patients must not alter their Phe-restricted diets during KUVAN therapy unless counseled by their doctor or dietitian
The initiation of KUVAN therapy does not eliminate the need for appropriate monitoring by trained professionals to ensure that blood Phe control is maintained in the context of ongoing dietary management¹
Healthcare providers must continue to counsel female patients who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant

This section contains tools to record the patient’s dietary intake and to help you follow your patient’s progress.

Indication

KUVAN^® (sapropterin dihydrochloride) Tablets is indicated to reduce blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to tetrahydrobiopterin- (BH4-) responsive Phenylketonuria (PKU). KUVAN is to be used in conjunction with a Phe-restricted diet.

Important Safety Information

Prolonged exposure to elevated blood Phe levels in PKU patients can result in severe neurologic damage. The initiation of KUVAN therapy does not eliminate the need for careful monitoring of blood Phe levels and ongoing dietary management.

Some patients receiving KUVAN can experience significant drops in blood Phe levels. Patients should be monitored closely to ensure that blood Phe levels do not fall too low.

Not all patients with PKU respond to treatment with KUVAN. Response to treatment can only be determined by a therapeutic trial of KUVAN.

KUVAN has not been studied in patients with liver or renal impairment. Patients who have these conditions should be carefully monitored when receiving KUVAN. Caution should be used with the administration of KUVAN to patients who are receiving levodopa and drugs that affect nitric oxide–mediated vasorelaxation or folate metabolism.

The most serious adverse reactions reported during KUVAN administration (regardless of relationship to treatment) were gastritis, spinal cord injury, streptococcal infection, testicular carcinoma, and urinary tract infection. Mild to moderate neutropenia was also noted. The most common adverse reactions were headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngolaryngeal pain, vomiting, and nausea.

Please read the full Prescribing Information by clicking here.