PATIENT ASSISTANCE
As part of the company’s commitment to the UCD community, Ucyclyd Pharma, Inc. has established a program through which qualified UCD patients with demonstrated financial need can receive BUPHENYL (sodium phenylbutyrate) Tablets and Powder at no cost. Participating patients receive their medication via mail and are billed for shipping charges.
The National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD) administers the BUPHENYL patient assistance program. Criteria for participation include:
- A diagnosis of a urea cycle disorder involving deficiencies of carbamyl phosphate synthetase (CPS), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), or argininosuccinic acid synthetase (ASS)
- U.S. residency
- Demonstrated financial need, which takes into account income as well as overall healthcare costs
To learn more about the BUPHENYL patient assistance program or to get an application, call the toll-free hotline at 1.800.711.0811. NORD will review your completed application and make a decision on your eligibility for the program.
Important Safety Information for BUPHENYL
- Any episode of acute hyperammonemia should be treated as a life-threatening emergency.
- BUPHENYL must be combined with dietary protein restriction and, in some cases, essential amino acid supplementation. BUPHENYL should not be administered to patients with known hypersensitivity to sodium phenylbutyrate or any component of this preparation.
- The most common adverse reactions associated with BUPHENYL Tablets were amenorrhea/menstrual dysfunction, decreased appetite, body odor (probably caused by its metabolite, phenylacetate), and bad taste or taste aversion.
- Patients with urea cycle disorders should not take valproic acid, haloperidol, or steroids as these drugs have been reported to increase blood ammonia levels, and probenecid may affect the kidneys’ excretion.
- Use with great care, if at all, in patients with congestive heart failure or severe renal insufficiency, and in clinical states where there is sodium retention with edema.
- Use caution when administering to patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency or inborn errors of beta oxidation.
- The safety or efficacy of doses in excess of 20 grams (40 tablets) per day has not been established.