Harliku (nitisinone)

Drugs To Treat Hereditary Tyrosinemia Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Nitisinone is a synthetic, reversible inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, an enzyme in the tyrosine catabolic pathway.

Nitisinone is a synthetic competitive inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, an enzyme in the tyrosine catabolic pathway. By inhibiting the normal catabolism of tyrosine in patients with tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1), nitisinone prevents the formation and accumulation of toxic metabolites that directly affect the liver and kidneys and indirectly (i.e., through inhibition of the porphyrin synthesis pathway) affect the peripheral nerves. In the treatment of alkaptonuria (AKU), inhibition of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase by nitisinone reduces the formation of HGA that accumulates in the disease and causes clinical manifestations.

Steady state concentrations of nitisinone are achieved within 14 days of dosing. The mean terminal plasma half-life of nitisinone in healthy men is 54 hours. No food effect study was conducted with nitisinone capsules.

For the oral suspension, a high calorie (800 to 1000 calories) and high fat meal (approximately 50% of total caloric content) did not affect drug exposure, but decreased peak plasma concentrations by 20%. For the tablets, a high-fat and high-calorie breakfast did not significantly affect AUC and peak plasma concentrations of nitisinone following single oral administration of 10 mg. Mean time to peak concentrations was delayed to 6 hours under fed conditions.

In vitro studies indicate that nitisinone is minimally metabolized, possibly by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4.

USES: Nitisinone is used to treat certain inherited disorders (alkaptonuria or hereditary tyrosinemia type 1, also known as HT-1). Both conditions are caused by a shortage of certain natural substances that are needed to break down a nutrient (tyrosine) found in food. This effect causes a build-up of too much tyrosine and related substances in the body.

Nitisinone works by helping to prevent the formation and build-up of several toxic substances that cause damage to the liver, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. For the treatment of HT-1, this medication must be used along with a diet low in protein, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Different brands of this medication have different uses.

Do not change brands of this medication unless directed by your doctor.

Generic name: nitisinone
Pronunciation: (nye-TIS-i-none)
Drug class: Drugs To Treat Hereditary Tyrosinemia
Therapeutic class: Metabolic Modifiers

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Harliku:

  • Alcaptonuria
  • Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type I

Also known as: Alkaptonuria, Hepatorenal Tyrosinemia, Hereditary Hypertyrosinemia, Homogentisate 1,2-Dioxygenase Deficiency, Tyrosinemia Type I, Tyrosinemia-Tyrosyluria Hereditary Syndrome.

Dosing

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Drug interactions

Nitisinone is minimally metabolized by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4. The drug is a moderate inhibitor of CYP2C9 and a weak inducer of CYP2E1, but does not inhibit CYP2D6. Nitisinone is an inhibitor of organic anion transporter (OAT)1/OAT3.

Contraindications

*None.

Adverse reactions

The most common adverse reactions (>1%) to nitisinone in patients with HT-1 include elevated tyrosine levels, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, conjunctivitis, corneal opacity, keratitis, photophobia, eye pain, blepharitis, cataracts, granulocytopenia, epistaxis, pruritus, exfoliative dermatitis, dry skin, maculopapular rash, and alopecia.

The most common adverse reactions (>1%) to nitisinone in patients with AKU include elevated tyrosine levels, keratitis, and thrombocytopenia.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Alcaptonuria
E70.29ICD10CMOther disorders of tyrosine metabolism
Hereditary tyrosinemia type I
E70.2ICD10CMDisorders of tyrosine metabolism
E70.20ICD10CMDisorder of tyrosine metabolism, unspecified
E70.21ICD10CMTyrosinemia
E70.29ICD10CMOther disorders of tyrosine metabolism

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data