If your little one has a liver condition called PFIC (Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis), you must have noticed that he is constantly scratching his body. Sometimes he can't even sleep, and he scratches his body until his skin is peeling. This is a very painful and distressing experience for the child as well as for you as a parent. So, a special medicine that doctors recommend to control this unbearable skin itching is Odevixibat (brand name Bylvay). Today, we will talk about this medicine, how to give it to your child, and what things to be careful about.
What kind of medicine is Odevixibat?
Simply put, Odevixibat is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called Ileal Bile Acid Transporter (IBAT) Inhibitors . Think of it this way: bile acids, a fluid produced by our liver that helps digest food, are reabsorbed into our intestines. In conditions like PFIC, this bile builds up in the body, causing unbearable itching.
So what this Odevixibat medicine does is stop the bile from being reabsorbed into the body from the intestines. Then the extra bile in the body is excreted with the stool. Due to this process, the unbearable skin itching (pruritus) that comes with PFIC disease is greatly reduced, giving the child great relief.
The most important things to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before giving Odevixibat to your child, it is important to tell your doctor this information. This is very important for your child's safety.
| Information you need to provide | Why is it important? |
|---|---|
| If low levels of vitamins A, D, E, or K have been reported. | This medication may reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins to some extent. Therefore, if you are already vitamin deficient, your doctor should be aware of this. |
| If you have allergies to Odevixibat or any other medicine or food. | This is essential to assess the risk of an allergic reaction to the medication and to treat it safely. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. | In these cases, it is important to discuss the safety of the medication with the doctor and make decisions based on his advice. |
How do you give this medicine to a child?
This is a very important part. Understand exactly how to give the medicine.
- This medicine comes in the form of a capsule, but it is not meant to be swallowed whole .
- Remember to take your medicine at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor. Usually, it is recommended to take it in the morning with food.
- Step 1: Carefully open the capsule. Place the pellets inside in a tablespoon or two of soft food. For example, you can use yogurt, mashed banana, or applesauce.
- Step 2: Once the medicine and food are mixed, let the child swallow it. Never let the child chew the tablets or the food they are mixed with.
- Step 3: Do not mix this medicine with liquids, such as water, milk, or drinks, for any reason.
- Important: If your child is taking other medications (bile acid binding resins) such as Cholestyramine or Colesevelam, Odevixibat should be given 4 hours before or 4 hours after them. Ask your doctor for specific instructions.
- Do not stop taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to. This medicine is prescribed for you only, do not share it with others.
If you miss a dose, don't worry. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- See the doctor regularly: You should see the doctor on scheduled days to check how your child is doing and whether the medication is working.
- Blood Tests: While taking this medication, your child will need to have blood tests to check liver function tests and vitamin levels.
- Vitamins and Nutrition: It is important to make sure your child is getting the vitamins they need (especially A, D, E, and K). Talk to your child's doctor about your child's diet and any additional vitamins.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you have the slightest suspicion that your child has been given more medicine than you think, do not waste time and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Alternatively, take your child to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What are the possible side effects?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Not everyone gets them, but it's important to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, face or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of Liver Injury | Yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark yellow/brown urine, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue. |
| Severe diarrhea | Frequent loose stools. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Stomach pain | A normal stomach ache. |
| Vomiting | Vomiting. |
Take-Home Message
- Odevixibat is a special medication that is used to control severe skin itching caused by PFIC disease.
- Do not swallow, chew, or crush this medicine. Open the capsule, mix the tablets inside with a soft food, and swallow without chewing.
- Be sure to tell the doctor if your child has any other illnesses, allergies, or is taking any other medications.
- If you experience signs of liver damage (yellowing of the eyes/skin, dark urine), severe diarrhea, or allergic reactions, see your doctor immediately.
- If you have any questions about the medication, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor. Don't treat based on guesswork.
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