FAQs for Alagille syndrome | Bylvay® (odevixibat) - Patient site

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This site is intended for US residents only

Frequently asked questions about Bylvay and Alagille syndrome (ALGS)

What is Alagille syndrome?

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a rare genetic disease that causes damage to the liver and can affect the heart, eyes, skeleton, kidneys, face, and nervous system. The way Alagille syndrome affects the liver can cause itch (cholestatic pruritus), which can be severe in some patients.

What is cholestatic pruritus?

Doctors may describe the itch from Alagille syndrome using this term. Cholestatic (pronounced koh-luh-stat-ik) means the flow of bile from the liver is slowed or blocked. Pruritus (pronounced proo-rahy-tuhs) is a medical term for itching.

What is Bylvay?

Bylvay is a medicine to treat cholestatic pruritus (itch) in patients with Alagille syndrome as young as 12 months of age and in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) as young as 3 months of age.

Limitation of Use:  
Bylvay may not be effective in a subgroup of PFIC type 2 patients with specific ABCB11 variants resulting in non-functional or complete absence of the bile salt export pump protein

How is Bylvay thought to work?

Bylvay is a type of medication called an ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor. While the exact way Bylvay reduces itch isn’t fully understood, IBAT inhibition may reduce bile acid buildup as measured by bile acid in the blood. The buildup of bile acids in the liver and bloodstream may be the cause of itch (cholestatic pruritus) in Alagille syndrome.

What resources can help me access/afford Bylvay?

IPSEN CARES patient support program can help you get access to your Bylvay^® (odevixibat) prescription with the information and support you need.

To learn more about IPSEN CARES:

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET

support@ipsencares.com

Indication and Important Safety Information

What warnings should I know about Bylvay?

Speak with your healthcare provider if you experience abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, hematoma, decreased weight, or dehydration as these have been reported with the use of Bylvay. Patients should contact their healthcare provider if they experience new onset or worsening of diarrhea
Elevations in liver tests (for example, AST, ALT, TB) have been observed with use of Bylvay. The patient’s healthcare provider will obtain liver tests before starting Bylvay and periodically during treatment with Bylvay. Patients should report to their healthcare provider any symptoms of liver problems (for example, nausea, vomiting, skin or the whites of eyes turn yellow, dark or brown urine, pain on the right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite)
Bylvay may impair absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (FSV), which include vitamins A, D, E and K (vitamin K is assessed by measuring INR). The patient’s healthcare provider will obtain serum levels of vitamins A, D, E, and INR (for vitamin K) at baseline and periodically during treatment to assess for worsening of FSV deficiency
Do not swallow the 200 mcg or 600 mcg capsule(s) containing Oral Pellets whole. These are intended to be opened and the contents mixed into soft food. Take Bylvay in the morning with a meal
For patients taking bile acid binding resins, take Bylvay at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking a bile acid binding resin
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Bylvay during pregnancy. For more information, please call 1-855-252-4736

What is Bylvay?

Bylvay is an ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in:

Patients 12 months of age and older with Alagille syndrome (ALGS)
Patients 3 months of age and older with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC)
- Limitation of Use:
  Bylvay may not be effective in a subgroup of PFIC type 2 patients with specific ABCB11 variants resulting in non-functional or complete absence of the bile salt export pump protein

You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-463-5127.

Please see full Prescribing Information.