Key takeaways

  • Gattex (teduglutide) is a prescription injection approved to treat short bowel syndrome in adults and children ages 1 year and older who need intravenous (IV) fluids and nutritional support.
  • Gattex belongs to the drug class called glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) analogs.
  • Gattex may interact with certain medication, such as benzodiazepines.

Gattex basics

Gattex is a brand-name medication. A generic version of the drug isn’t currently available.

Gattex is used to treat short bowel syndrome in adults and children ages 1 year and older who need IV fluids and nutritional support.

Short bowel syndrome is a condition where your intestine is shorter than usual, which causes your body to be unable to absorb crucial fluids and nutrients effectively. Short bowel syndrome may happen as a result of surgery for certain medical conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, trauma, or be present at birth.

Gattex mechanism of action (how the drug works)

Gattex works to treat short bowel syndrome by helping your intestines absorb fluid and nutrients. With better nutrient absorption, you may be able to decrease the amount of IV fluids and nutritional support you need. Your doctor may prescribe Gattex alone or with other drugs to treat your condition.

Like most drugs, Gattex may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects Gattex may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Gattex. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Gattex and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Gattex can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Gattex’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Gattex that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Gattex can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Gattex, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Gattex that have been reported include:

  • increased polyps or growth of abnormal cells, which could lead to cancer
  • intestinal blockage
  • gallbladder or pancreas problems
  • fluid overload or electrolyte imbalance
Allergic reaction

For some people, Gattex can cause an allergic reaction.

This side effect was reported n the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Gattex treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Gattex, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Form and strength

Gattex comes as a kit, which contains the following items:

  • One single-dose vial of 5 milligrams (mg) of Gattex powder
  • One disposable prefilled syringe containing 0.5 milliliters (mL) of sterile water for Injection
  • a separate needle to attach to the
    syringe
  • One sterile disposable 1 mL syringe with needle for dosing
  • Four alcohol swab

Recommended dosages

Keep reading to learn more.

Dosage for short bowel syndrome

For treatment of short bowel syndrome, your doctor will likely prescribe 0.05 mg of Gattex per 1 kilogram (kg) of body weight, injected once per day.

For reference, the dosage for an adult weighing 70 kg (154 pounds) would be 3.5 mg once per day. The dosage for a child weighing 20 kg (44 lb) would be 1 mg once per day.

You or a caregiver may inject the drug into your stomach, thigh, or upper arm.

How to use inject

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself these injections at home. For children, your doctor or another healthcare professional may teach a caregiver how to give the injections.

About using Gattex

The following are some common questions about using Gattex.

  • Is there a best time of day to take Gattex? Gattex can be taken at any time of day, but it’s best to take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body, which helps Gattex work effectively.
  • What if I miss a dose of Gattex? If you miss a dose of Gattex, inject it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to inject your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not inject two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
  • Will I need to use Gattex long term? Gattex is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
  • How long does Gattex take to work? Gattex begins to work after you take your first dose.

Overdose

Do not use more Gattex than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case of overdose

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Gattex. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Gattex can interact with several other medications.

Before taking Gattex, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

The following table highlights medications that can interact with Gattex. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Gattex. If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that can interact with Gattexbenzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) or diazepam (Valium). Gattex may increase the absorption of benzodiazepines, which can increase certain side effects, including drowsiness and mental health changes.

Gattex and alcohol

It may not be safe to consume alcohol while taking Gattex. If you have questions about the safety of drinking alcohol while taking Gattex, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Gattex. What you’ll pay for Gattex may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

  • Comparing pharmacies: The price of Gattex may vary depending on which pharmacy you use, so it can help to compare prices across pharmacies to find the lowest cost.
  • Savings program: Gattex manufacturer Tekada has a Patient Support program that may be available to you. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, visit the program website.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking/using Gattex.

Pregnancy and Gattex

It’s not known whether Gattex is safe to use during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking/using this drug.

Birth control and Gattex

It’s not known whether Gattex is safe to take during pregnancy. Therefore, if you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control options while you’re using Gattex.

Gattex and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Gattex should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking/using this drug.

Before taking Gattex, discuss your health history with your doctor. Gattex may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • risk or history of cancer
  • intestinal blockage
  • gallbladder or pancreas problems
  • polyps
  • high blood pressure or other heart problems
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Gattex, see the “Side effects of Gattex” section.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Gattex, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Gattex:

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.