Gattex

Before taking this medicine

The FDA label lists no formal contraindications for Gattex. However, the following conditions require caution and monitoring: Gattex may accelerate the growth of abnormal tissue. Treatment should be stopped if intestinal cancer develops. For cancer outside the gastrointestinal tract, the prescriber should weigh the benefits and risks of continuing treatment. Adults should have a colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, or alternative imaging, after one year of treatment and at least every five years thereafter. Children should have yearly stool testing for hidden blood, with colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy after one year and every five years thereafter during treatment. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or alternative imaging should also be considered in children. Treatment should be temporarily stopped if a blockage develops in the intestine or at a stoma, pending medical assessment and management. Gallbladder, bile duct and pancreatic problems require monitoring. Bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, lipase and amylase should be checked every six months. Significant changes require further assessment and a review of whether treatment should continue. Fluid overload, including congestive heart failure, can occur. If this happens, intravenous fluid or nutrition support should be adjusted and continued Gattex treatment reassessed. Gattex may increase absorption of medicines taken by mouth, including benzodiazepines. Monitoring for increased side effects is needed, and the prescriber may need to adjust those medicines. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.