Buphenyl
Generic name:sodium phenylbutyrate [ SOE-dee-um-FEN-il-BUE-ti-rate ]
Drug class:Urea cycle disorder agents
What is Buphenyl?
Buphenyl is converted to a substance in the body that helps the kidneys eliminate waste substances from the body. These waste substances can produce ammonia, which is toxic if it builds up in your blood.
Buphenyl is used to treat urea cycle disorders in people who lack certain liver enzymes needed to properly eliminate waste substances from the body. Buphenyl helps prevent a build-up of ammonia in the blood.
Buphenyl may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of ammonia build-up, including mood or behavior changes, memory loss, thinking problems, muscle twitching, back and forth movement of the eyes, vomiting, increasing weakness, slurred speech, seizure (convulsions), and fainting.
Buphenyl will not treat immediate symptoms of an ammonia build-up.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Buphenyl if you are allergic to it. Buphenyl will not treat immediate symptoms of an ammonia build-up.
To make sure Buphenyl is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
congestive heart failure;
severe kidney disease;
swelling or fluid retention; or
epilepsy or other seizure disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Buphenyl will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
It is not known whether sodium phenylbutyrate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child who weighs less than 44 pounds unless your doctor tells you to.
How should I take Buphenyl?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take this medicine with each meal. Divide your total daily dose among all of your meals for the day.
Buphenyl powder should be mixed with food before consuming.
Shake the powder lightly before mixing it with food.
Use Buphenyl regularly to...
