Important Safety Information: Certain patients should not use CERDELGA based on their CYP2D6 metabolizer status due to an increased risk of side effects, including heart problems. Do not use CERDELGA if you are an Extensive Metabolizer (EM) taking a medicine that is a strong or moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor along with another medicine that is a strong or... View more

Starting Cerdelga

Starting Cerdelga®
(eliglustat)

Cerdelga is a capsule taken by mouth either once or twice per day. Learn more
about determining your metabolizer status and dosing below.

Nate and Mike, USA,
patients with Gaucher disease type 1 treated with Cerdelga

Determining your CYP2D6-metabolizer status

CYP2D6 is an enzyme found in your body that plays an important role in breaking down (metabolizing) certain drugs. Your CYP2D6 metabolizer status describes how your body breaks down (metabolizes) Cerdelga.

More than 90% of adult patients tested for CYP2D6 status
are eligible for Cerdelga

Knowing your CYP2D6 metabolizer status is the first step toward determining if Cerdelga is right for you. Your doctor will perform a simple blood test known as a “genotype test” to identify what type of CYP2D6 metabolizer you are.

There are 4 main types of CYP2D6 metabolizers

Cerdelga is indicated for:
Cerdelga
is indicated
for:
extensive
metabolizers (EMs)
intermediate
metabolizers (IMs)
poor
metabolizers (PMs)
ultra-rapid
metabolizers (URMs)

Your doctor will determine a specific Cerdelga dose (either once or twice daily) based on how CYP2D6 works in your body. Some people (ultra-rapid metabolizers) should not use Cerdelga because they break down the drug rapidly and may not benefit from it. A specific dosage cannot be recommended for those whose CYP2D6 metabolizer status cannot be determined (indeterminate metabolizers).

Talk to your doctor about starting Cerdelga

Cerdelga Eligibility: CYP2D6 Testing

Patient blood draw performed by LabCorp

Patient blood draw

Lab results processed in approximately 2 weeks

Lab results processed

Results include the patient’s CYP2D6 genotype and metabolizer status

Results include the patient’s CYP2D6 genotype and metabolizer status

Results will be sent directly to the referring physician

Results usually sent directly to the referring physician


Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Cerdelga® (eliglustat)?

Cerdelga, used with certain other medicines, may cause changes in the electrical activity of your heart (ECG changes) and irregular heart beat (arrhythmias). Tell your doctor if you have new symptoms such as palpitations, fainting, or dizziness.

The most common side effects of Cerdelga include: tiredness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and pain in the arms, legs, back, or stomach (abdomen).

Tell your health care provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.


Before Taking Cerdelga

Important Information to Know

Cerdelga can affect the way other medicines work and other medicines can affect how Cerdelga works. Using Cerdelga with other medicines or herbal supplements may cause an increased risk of side effects. Your doctor may need to prescribe a different medicine, change your dose of other medicines, or change your dose of Cerdelga. Tell your doctor about any new medicines before you start taking them. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
  • Medicine for:
    • Fungal infections
    • Tuberculosis
    • Seizures
    • Heart conditions or high blood pressure
    • Depression or other mental health problems

Before taking Cerdelga, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including all heart problems (including a condition called long QT syndrome), history of heart attack, and kidney or liver problems. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. The full important safety information and full prescribing information can provide you with additional information about Cerdelga safety considerations.

Cerdelga® (eliglustat) capsule

Dosing

Cerdelga is a capsule taken by mouth either once or twice per day, depending on the kind of metabolizer you are, as well as other factors. If Cerdelga is right for you, you may be able to switch from an ERT 24 hours after your last infusion.

Important things to know about taking Cerdelga

Can be taken with or without food

Take Cerdelga exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. Swallow the capsule whole, preferably with water, sitting upright.

Do not open, crush or dissolve

DO NOT open, crush, or dissolve capsules before swallowing. If you have trouble swallowing the capsules, tell your doctor.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice

Cerdelga may be taken with or without food, but avoid eating or drinking grapefruit products while taking Cerdelga. Grapefruit products can increase the amount of Cerdelga in your body.

Dose timing

If you miss a dose of Cerdelga, take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take 2 doses of Cerdelga at the same time.

  • If you take too much Cerdelga, call your doctor or go to your nearest emergency room right away.