This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Agamree
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child has any infection, including a fungal infection, malaria infection in the brain, amoeba infection like traveler’s diarrhea, or herpes infection of the eye.
- If your child has any stomach or bowel problems. This includes diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, ulcers, or recent bowel surgery.
- If your child has liver disease.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by the doctor.
- High blood sugar has happened with this drug. This includes diabetes that is new or worse.
- Check your child’s blood sugar as you have been told by the doctor.
- Make sure your child is up to date with all vaccines before treatment with this drug. Talk with your child’s doctor to find out when your child needs to get any vaccines before starting this drug.
- Your child may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Some infections with drugs like this one can be severe and rarely deadly. Have your child wash hands often. Have your child stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
- Chickenpox and measles can be very bad or even deadly in some people taking steroid drugs like this drug. Avoid having your child near anyone with chickenpox or measles if your child has not had these health problems before. If your child has been exposed to chickenpox or measles, talk with the doctor.
- If your child has had hepatitis B before or carries the virus, talk with your child’s doctor. This drug can cause the virus to become active again.
- Hepatitis B testing needs to be done as you were told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- If your child has TB (tuberculosis), talk with the doctor.
- If your child has threadworms, talk with the doctor. Drugs like this one can cause threadworms to spread, which may be deadly.
- High blood pressure has happened with drugs like this one. Have your child’s blood pressure checked as you have been told by the doctor.
- This drug may cause weak bones (osteoporosis) with long-term use. Talk with the doctor to see if your child has a higher chance of weak bones, or if you have any questions.
- Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
- Have your child’s eye pressure checked if your child is on this drug for a long time. Talk with the doctor.
- Steroid drugs like this one can cause certain health problems with hormones in the body, especially with long-term use. These health problems can be severe or life-threatening. This includes changes in adrenal gland function and a tumor on the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma). Talk with your child’s doctor if your child has any thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal gland problems.
- Health problems like Cushing’s syndrome and weak adrenal gland can happen after stopping this drug. Do not stop giving this drug to your child all of a sudden without talking to your child’s doctor. You may need to slowly stop giving it as ordered by your child’s doctor.
- The risk of muscle problems may be raised with the use of drugs like this one in people who already have nerve or muscle problems like myasthenia gravis. The risk may also be raised in people who are getting drugs used to relax muscles while on a breathing machine or during surgery. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- A type of cancer (Kaposi’s sarcoma) has happened in people taking drugs like this one for a long time. Talk with the doctor.
- This drug may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
- Signs of Cushing’s syndrome like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, severe headache, or slow healing.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes; confusion; muscle pain, cramps, or spasms; weakness; shakiness; change in balance; an abnormal heartbeat; seizures; loss of appetite; or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
- Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
- Change in eyesight.
- Bone or joint pain.
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Mental, mood, or behavior changes that are new or worse.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Throwing up.
- Weight gain.
- Headache.
- Diarrhea.
- Increased appetite.
- Runny nose.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Give this drug by mouth only.
- Give with a meal.
- Shake well for at least 30 seconds before each use.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this drug.
- Do not mix with other liquids.
- Each oral syringe that comes with this drug can be used for 45 days. Talk to your pharmacist if you need more syringes.
- Put this drug right into the mouth using the measuring device.
- Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and call the doctor.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store unopened bottles at room temperature.
- Store in the outer carton.
- Store upright with the cap on.
- After opening, store upright in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any part not used after 3 months.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-04-23
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