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Overview: Gattex is used to treat short bowel syndrome in people who require IV nutrition. It works by acting like a natural substance in the body to help your body absorb liquids and nutrients. Common side effects include stomach pain or swelling, nausea, and pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site. Gattex is available as a liquid that is injected under the skin. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get swelling in your feet or ankles, have trouble breathing, or gain weight very quickly.

Uses

What is Gattex used for?

Gattex (teduglutide) is commonly used to treat short bowel syndrome (SBS) in people who require parenteral nutrition (IV nutrition). 

Gattex may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Gattex work (mechanism of action)?

Gattex works by acting like a natural substance in the body to help your body absorb liquids and nutrients. Gattex can help reduce how much IV nutrition you need.

How is Gattex supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Gattex

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 mg per vial

How should I store Gattex?

Gattex powder should be stored at room temperature, up to 77 F (25 C). Do not freeze. Use the powder before the expiration date on the “Use By” sticker. After mixing, use the medicine within three hours. If you have any medicine left over after using it, throw it away. Do not store leftover medicine. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Gattex?

The most common side effects of Gattex are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Stomach pain or swelling
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Cold or flu symptoms
  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site
  • Swelling of the hands or feet

There may be other side effects of Gattex that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Gattex?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Gattex are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Gattex may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Gattex and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Cancer. Gattex can cause a new cancer to develop. Tell your healthcare provider about any new symptoms that you may get.

Polyps. Gattex may cause polyps (growths) in the intestines. Your healthcare provider will monitor you. Keep all appointments, including follow up appointments with your healthcare provider, lab appointments, and appointments for procedures such as a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or upper GI endoscopy. 

Bowel (Intestinal) Blockage. Gattex may cause a blockage of the intestines, which makes it difficult for food, fluids, and gas to move through the bowels. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach pain or swelling
  • Difficulty having a bowel movement or passing gas
  • Swelling and blockage of your stoma opening, if you have a stoma

Gallbladder or Pancreas Swelling or Blockage. Gattex can cause swelling or blockage of the gallbladder or pancreas. Your healthcare provider will monitor the health of your gallbladder and pancreas. Keep all appointments to have your gallbladder or pancreas checked. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Stomach pain and tenderness
  • Fever or chills
  • Any changes in your stools (poop)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dark urine
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Fluid Overload. Gattex may cause fluid overload, or too much fluid in the body. This can lead to heart failure, especially in people with heart problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Swollen feet or ankles
  • Fast weight gain
  • Trouble breathing

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Gattex?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Gattex.

  • Teduglutide
  • Gattex
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Gattex.

What should I know about Gattex before using it?

Do not use Gattex unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed. Do not stop using Gattex unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. 

Do not share Gattex with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Gattex out of the reach of children.

Check the expiration date before using Gattex. Make sure that you or a trained caregiver understands how to properly prepare and use Gattex. Follow the “Instructions for Use” that comes with this medicine.

This medicine is injected under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Use a different injection site each time you use this medicine. 

Gattex is for single use only. Throw away any unused medicine after injecting your dose. Do not reuse needles or syringes. Throw them away in a sharps container. Keep the sharps container out of the reach of children.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Gattex?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Gattex is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Pancreas problems
  • Cancer
  • Polyps in the intestines or rectum
  • Heart problems
  • High blood pressure

Other Medicines and Supplements. Gattex may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Gattex, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Gattex could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Gattex while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while using Gattex, tell your healthcare provider right away.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Gattex passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Gattex while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Gattex?

For more information about Gattex, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.gattex.com or call them at 877-TAKEDA-7 (877-825-3327).

Interactions

Does Gattex interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Gattex and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Gattex.

Does Gattex interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using a benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures.

Gattex may affect the absorption of many other medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken. 

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Gattex. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Gattex?

If you or someone else has used too much Gattex, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Gattex?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember that day. Then, use your next dose at your usually scheduled time. Do not use two doses of Gattex on the same day. 

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