Gattex

Prescription medicineOnly Available By Prescription

What if I find a lower price with another pharmacy?

We guarantee the lowest price on all of our prescription products. If you find your medications cheaper at any other recognized licensed mail order pharmacy, we will not only match their price, we will beat it by 25% of the difference. It is our 125% price match guarantee!

Example: If you find a product on Canada Drugs Direct for $50.00 and find the same product for $40.00 at another mail order pharmacy, we will provide you with a $12.50 discount, bringing your total to $37.50.

To get the discount please make sure to mention the price match to the customer service team when they call to collect payment for your order. Or call toll free at 1-888-904-8467 to place the order through the phone.

Terms & Conditions of Program

  • Guaranteed lowest price is only valid at the time of sale.
  • We will only match the current advertised price.
  • Products must be identical and in stock at the time of placing an order with a licensed mail order pharmacy. They must be an online Canadian pharmacy with an address in Canada.
  • Products must be authentic in brand and size (same manufacturer, same country of manufacture, same pack size, same strength and same quantity).
  • Products must be new. We cannot match the price of any used, short expiry or expired product.
  • Price match can only be issued over the phone with our customer service team. Please note at this time we cannot offer price matching for the products Ozempic or Saxenda.
What is a Generic Drug?

A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.

Description

Gattex (teduglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged 1 year and older with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) who are dependent on parenteral support. It enhances intestinal absorption by promoting mucosal growth and improving the structural and functional integrity of the remaining intestine. By mimicking the effects of endogenous GLP-2, Gattex facilitates reduced reliance on parenteral nutrition or intravenous fluids in patients with SBS.

Fact Table

Formula

C165H261N47O46

License

US FDA (2012)

Bioavailability

Subcutaneous: ~100%

Legal status

Prescription only

Chemical Name

Teduglutide

Elimination half-life

1.1 to 2 hours

Dosage (Strength)

5 mg per vial for subcutaneous injection

Pregnancy

Category B – No risk in animal studies

Brands

Gattex

Protein binding

Low (peptide hormone)

PubChem CID

10072373

MedlinePlus

a613028

ChEBI

85041

ATC code

A16AX08

DrugBank

DB08902

KEGG

D09928

Routes of administration

Subcutaneous

Directions

Gattex is administered by subcutaneous injection once daily. The recommended dose for both adults and pediatric patients is 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day. It should be injected in the abdomen, thighs, or arms, with rotation of injection sites to prevent local reactions. Gattex must be reconstituted prior to use and should be prepared using aseptic technique. Therapy should be supervised by healthcare professionals experienced in managing patients with SBS.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: teduglutide Inactive ingredients (after reconstitution): mannitol, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, and water for injection (in the diluent). The product is supplied as a lyophilized powder requiring reconstitution.

Contraindications

Gattex is contraindicated in patients with:

  • Known hypersensitivity to teduglutide or any of its excipients
  • Active gastrointestinal malignancy (GI tract, hepatobiliary system, or pancreas) due to the potential for accelerating neoplastic growth

Cautions

Patients should be monitored for gastrointestinal polyps via colonoscopy before starting treatment and periodically thereafter, due to the risk of intestinal neoplasia. Use with caution in patients with a history of malignancies or in those at risk for intestinal obstruction. Monitoring is required for fluid overload, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease or renal impairment. Adjustments in parenteral nutrition should be guided by frequent clinical and laboratory assessments.

Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Injection site reactions
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Vomiting
  • Fluid overload
  • Headache
  • Hypersensitivity reactions

Serious adverse events may include intestinal obstruction, biliary and pancreatic disease, and potential for accelerated growth of pre-existing neoplasia.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information provided above is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical or veterinary advice. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or veterinarian regarding the safety, suitability, and proper use of any medication for yourself or your pet.

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