Sapropterin Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 7, 2024.
Applies to sapropterin: oral powder for solution, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.
Serious side effects of sapropterin
Along with its needed effects, sapropterin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sapropterin:
More common side effects
Incidence not known
- burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- cough
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- fidgeting or moving around too much
- heartburn
- indigestion
- pain or burning in the throat
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- skin rash, hives, or itching
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or tongue or inside the mouth
- stomach upset
- talking too much
- tenderness in the stomach area
- tightness in the chest
- trouble swallowing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects of sapropterin
Some side effects of sapropterin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common side effects
- stuffy nose
For healthcare professionals
Applies to sapropterin: oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet, oral tablet soluble.
General adverse events
The more commonly reported adverse effects include headache, rhinorrhea, pharyngolaryngeal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, cough, and nasal congestion.[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (15%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
- Frequency not reported: Convulsions, exacerbation of convulsions, overstimulation
- Postmarketing reports: Hyperactivity[Ref]
Two cases of hyperactivity have been received during the postmarketing period; in 1 case, the patient had inadvertently received an overdose of this drug.[Ref]
Respiratory
- Very common (10% or more): Rhinorrhea (11%), pharyngolaryngeal pain (10%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Cough, nasal congestion, pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection
- Frequency not reported: Respiratory failure
- Postmarketing reports: Pharyngitis[Ref]
Metabolic
- Very common (10% or more): Low phenylalanine levels, non-response to therapy
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypophenylalaninemia[Ref]
Not all patients respond to therapy; in clinical trials, 25% to 44% of pediatric phenylketonuria (PKU) patients receiving 20 mg/kg/day did not respond to therapy and 80% of adult and pediatric PKU patients receiving 10 mg/kg/day did not respond to therapy.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain
- Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal bleeding, esophageal stricture, esophageal ulcer, gastric ulcer, bleeding
- Postmarketing reports: Oropharyngeal pain, esophageal pain, gastritis, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema
- Frequency not reported: Contusion, postprocedural bleeding, pyrexia[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Agitation
- Frequency not reported: Irritability
Musculoskeletal
- Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Common (1% to 10%): Polyuria[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (including serious allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, rash)[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Frequency not reported: Rash[Ref]
Hepatic
- Frequency not reported: Increased GGT[Ref]
References
1. (2007) "Product Information. Kuvan (sapropterin)." BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
4. Dubois EA, Cohen AF (2010) "Sapropterin." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 69, p. 576-7
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Further information
Sapropterin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.