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Important: This site presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). A report does not mean the drug caused the event. Full disclaimer.

LEVACETYLLEUCINE: 48 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile

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48
Total FAERS Reports
1 (2.1%)
Deaths Reported
1
Hospitalizations
48
As Primary/Secondary Suspect
Sep 24, 2024
FDA Approved
IntraBio Inc
Manufacturer
Prescription
Status

Drug Class: Bile Salt Export Pump Inhibitors [MoA] · Route: ORAL · Manufacturer: IntraBio Inc · FDA Application: 219132 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available

Patent Expires: Apr 19, 2037 · First Report: 20240101 · Latest Report: 20250620

What Are the Most Common LEVACETYLLEUCINE Side Effects?

#1 Most Reported
Off label use
23 reports (47.9%)
#2 Most Reported
Seizure
5 reports (10.4%)
#3 Most Reported
Intentional product use issue
3 reports (6.3%)

All LEVACETYLLEUCINE Side Effects by Frequency

Side Effect Reports % of Total Deaths Hosp.
Off label use 23 47.9% 0 0
Seizure 5 10.4% 1 1

Who Reports LEVACETYLLEUCINE Side Effects? Age & Gender Data

Gender: 44.9% female, 55.1% male. Average age: 24.6 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →

Is LEVACETYLLEUCINE Getting Safer? Reports by Year

YearReportsDeathsHosp.
2024 3 0 0
2025 8 1 0

View full timeline →

What Is LEVACETYLLEUCINE Used For?

IndicationReports
Product used for unknown indication 17
Gm2 gangliosidosis 10
Ataxia 6

Other Drugs in Same Class: Bile Salt Export Pump Inhibitors [MoA]

Official FDA Label for LEVACETYLLEUCINE

Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.

Drug Description

AQNEURSA (levacetylleucine) for oral suspension contains the drug substance levacetylleucine, a modified amino acid. Levacetylleucine is slightly soluble in aqueous solutions. The chemical name is 2-acetamido-4-methylpentanoic acid. The empirical formula is C 8 H 15 NO 3 and the molecular weight is 173.21. The chemical structure is: Each packet of AQNEURSA granules contains 1 gram levacetylleucine and the inactive ingredients hypromellose, isomalt and strawberry flavor. 2-acetamido-4-methylpentanoic acid

FDA Approved Uses (Indications)

AND USAGE AQNEURSA™ is indicated for the treatment of neurological manifestations of Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) in adults and pediatric patients weighing ≥15 kg. AQNEURSA is indicated for the treatment of neurological manifestations of Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) in adults and pediatric patients weighing ≥15 kg. ( 1 )

Dosage & Administration

AND ADMINISTRATION

  • For females of reproductive potential, verify that the patient is not pregnant prior to initiating treatment. ( 2.1 )
  • Recommended dosage ( 2.2 )

Patient Body Weight Morning Dose

Afternoon Dose Evening Dose 15 to <25 kg 1 g No Dose 1 g 25 to <35 kg 1 g 1 g 1 g 35 kg or more 2 g 1 g 1 g

  • See the full prescribing information for administration instructions. ( 2.3 )

2.1 Important Recommendation Prior to AQNEURSA Treatment Initiation For females of reproductive potential, verify that the patient is not pregnant <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 )]</span>.

2.2 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of AQNEURSA is based on the patient’s actual body weight (kg) to be administered orally up to three times daily.

See Table

1 . AQNEURSA can be taken with or without food [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] .

For

2 gram levacetylleucine doses, prepare two AQNEURSA packets individually [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )] .

Table

1 Recommended Dosage of Levacetylleucine Based on Body Weight (kg) Patient’s Body Weight Morning Dose Afternoon Dose Evening Dose 15 kg to less than 25 kg 1 gram No Dose 1 gram 25 kg to less than 35 kg 1 gram 1 gram 1 gram 35 kg or more 2 gram 1 gram 1 gram One AQNEURSA packet contains 1 gram levacetylleucine.

Missed

Dose If a dose of AQNEURSA is missed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

2.3 Preparation and Administration Instructions Oral Administration For oral administration, administer AQNEURSA as follows: 1. Obtain the required number of AQNEURSA packets for the prescribed dose (one or two packets). 2. Open and empty the entire contents of one AQNEURSA packet into a container with 40 mL of water, orange juice, or almond milk. Do not use hot liquid. 3. Stir to form a suspension. 4. Swallow the suspension immediately (within 30 minutes). 5. For doses requiring two AQNEURSA packets, repeat steps 2 to 4. 6. Discard unused AQNEURSA suspension if not administered within 30 minutes. Use of Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube) for Feeding Tube Administration For patients who have a G-tube (French size 18 or larger) in place, administer AQNEURSA as follows: 1. Prepare AQNEURSA suspension immediately before administration via gastrostomy tube. 2. Obtain the required number of AQNEURSA packets for the prescribed dose (one or two packets). 3. Open and empty the entire contents of one AQNEURSA packet into a container with 40 mL of water ONLY. Do not use hot liquid. 4. Stir to form a suspension. 5. Draw up the suspension into a catheter tip syringe. 6. Administer the suspension immediately through the G-tube. 7. Flush any residual suspension in the catheter tip syringe with an additional 20 mL of water. 8. Flush the G-tube again, as needed, until no residual suspension is left in the syringe or feeding tube. 9. For doses requiring two AQNEURSA packets, repeat steps 3 to 8. 10. Discard unused AQNEURSA suspension if not administered immediately.

Contraindications

None. None. ( 4 )

Known Adverse Reactions

REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% and greater than placebo) are abdominal pain, dysphagia, upper respiratory tract infections, and vomiting. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact IntraBio Inc. at 1-833-306-9677 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of AQNEURSA was evaluated in Trial 1, which included a total of 60 patients with Niemann-Pick disease Type C (NPC), in a placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]</span> . The mean (SD) treatment duration of AQNEURSA was 86.2 (4.7) days (69 min, 97 max); the mean (SD) treatment duration on placebo was 87.3 (4.8) days (78 min, 113 max).

Table

2 summarizes adverse reactions that occurred in patients who were treated with AQNEURSA in Treatment Period I of Trial 1.

Table

2 Adverse Reactions that Occurred in Adult and Pediatric Patients with NPC at an Incidence of ≥5% in Treatment Period I of Trial 1 Adverse Reaction AQNEURSA N=30 n (%) Placebo N=30 n (%) Upper respiratory tract infection 5 (17) 1 (3) Abdominal pain 2 (7) 0 (0)

Dysphagia

2 (7) 0 (0)

Vomiting

2 (7) 0 (0)

Rosacea

One patient experienced an exacerbation of rosacea during Trial 1 that responded to treatment. AQNEURSA was not discontinued.

Laboratory Findings

Thrombocytopenia with platelets < 100 10^3 cells/µL was observed in four patients during Treatment Period 1, all of whom were receiving miglustat for 42 days or longer at the time of enrollment. In two of these patients, the thrombocytopenia was present at baseline. In the other two patients, the thrombocytopenia developed during the trial.

Warnings

AND PRECAUTIONS Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : May cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 7 days after the last dose if AQNEURSA is discontinued. ( 5.1 )

5.1 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, AQNEURSA may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered during pregnancy. Administration of levacetylleucine to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused an increase in embryo-fetal death (post implantation loss/resorption) and skeletal malformations at a dose that was approximately 1.4-fold and 6-fold, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 4 g/day of levacetylleucine (based on body surface area). The decision to continue or discontinue AQNEURSA treatment during pregnancy should consider the female’s need for AQNEURSA, the potential drug-related risks to the fetus, and the potential adverse outcomes from untreated maternal disease. For females of reproductive potential, verify that the patient is not pregnant prior to initiating treatment with AQNEURSA. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with AQNEURSA and for 7 days after the last dose if AQNEURSA is discontinued <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 )]</span>.

Drug Interactions

INTERACTIONS

  • N-acetyl-DL-leucine or N-acetyl-D-leucine : Avoid concomitant use with AQNEURSA. ( 7.1 )
  • P-glycoprotein (P-gp)

Transporter

Substrates : Monitor for adverse reactions if used with AQNEURSA. ( 7.2 )

7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on AQNEURSA N-acetyl-DL-leucine and N-acetyl-D-leucine Avoid concomitant use of AQNEURSA with N-acetyl-DL-leucine and N-acetyl-D-leucine. The D-enantiomer, N-acetyl-D-leucine, competes with levacetylleucine for monocarboxylate transporter uptake, which may reduce the levacetylleucine efficacy.

7.2 Effect of AQNEURSA on Other Drugs P-glycoprotein (P-gp)

Transporter Substrates

Monitor more frequently for P-gp substrate related adverse reactions when used concomitantly with AQNEURSA. Levacetylleucine inhibits P-gp [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . However, the clinical significance of this finding has not been fully characterized.