Cerdelga 21 mg hard capsules – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. What Cerdelga is and what it is used for

Cerdelga contains the active substance eliglustat and is used for the long-term treatment of adults and children 6 years and older who weigh at least 15 kg with Gaucher disease type 1. When used in children, Cerdelga is meant for those children whose disease is under control using enzyme replacement therapy. The doctor will determine if Cerdelga is suitable for you or your child before you start taking it, using a simple laboratory test. Gaucher disease type 1 is a rare, inherited condition in which a substance called glucosylceramide is not effectively broken down by your body. As a result, glucosylceramide builds up in your spleen, liver and bones. The build-up prevents these organs from working properly. Cerdelga contains the active substance eliglustat which decreases the production of glucosylceramide, thereby preventing its build-up. In turn this helps your affected organs to work better. People differ in the speed that their body breaks down this medicine. As a result the amount of this medicine in the blood can differ between patients which could affect how a patient would respond. Cerdelga is meant to be used in patients whose body breaks down this medicine at normal speed (known as intermediate metabolisers and extensive metabolisers) or slow speed (known as poor metabolisers).

Gaucher disease type 1 is a lifelong condition and you must continue to take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor to gain the maximum benefit from your medicine.

2. What you need to know before you take Cerdelga

Do not take Cerdelga

• If you are allergic to eliglustat or any of the other ingredients of

  this medicine (listed in section 6).

• If you are an intermediate or extensive metaboliser and use

  medicines known as strong or moderate CYP2D6 inhibitors (examples are quinidine and terbinafine) used in combination with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors (examples are erythromycin and itraconazole). The combination of these medicines will interfere with your body’s ability to break down Cerdelga and this can result in higher levels of the active substance in your blood (see the section ‘Other medicines and Cerdelga’ for an expanded list of medicines).

• If you are a poor metaboliser and use medicines known as

  strong CYP3A inhibitors (for example itraconazole). Medicines of this type will interfere with your body’s ability to break down Cerdelga and this can result in higher levels of the active substance in your blood (see the section ‘Other medicines and Cerdelga’ for an expanded list of medicines).

• If you are an extensive metaboliser and you have severely

  reduced liver function.

• If you are an extensive metaboliser and you have mildly or

  moderately reduced liver function while taking a strong or moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Cerdelga if you:

• are currently treated, or about to start treatment with any of

  the medicines listed in section ‘Other medicines and Cerdelga’.

• have had a heart attack or heart failure.
• have a slow heart rate.

• have an irregular, or abnormal heartbeat, including a heart

  condition called long QT syndrome.

• have any other heart problems.

• are taking an antiarrhythmic medicine (used to treat irregular

  heartbeat) like quinidine, amiodarone or sotalol.

• are an extensive metaboliser and you have moderately reduced

  liver function.

• are an intermediate or poor metaboliser and you have any level

  of reduced liver function.

• are an intermediate or poor metaboliser and you have reduced

  kidney function.

• are an end stage renal disease (ESRD) patient.

Children and adolescents

Cerdelga is not intended for use in children under 6 years of age or weighing less than 15 kg.

Other medicines and Cerdelga

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used, or might use any other medicines.

Medicines that must not be taken in combination with each other and Cerdelga

Cerdelga must not be used with certain type of medicines. These medicines can interfere with your body’s ability to break down Cerdelga and this can result in higher levels of Cerdelga in your blood. These medicines are known as strong or moderate CYP2D6 inhibitors and strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. There are many medicines in these categories and depending on how your body breaks down Cerdelga the effects may differ from person to person. Please speak to your doctor regarding these medicines before you start taking Cerdelga. Your doctor will determine which medicines you can use based on how fast your body breaks down eliglustat.

Medicines that may increase the level of Cerdelga in the blood such as:

• paroxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, duloxetine, bupropion,

  moclobemide – antidepressants (used to treat depression)

• dronedarone, quinidine, verapamil – antiarrhythmic

  medicines (used to treat irregular heartbeat)

• ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin –

  antibiotics (used to treat infections)

• terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole,

  voriconazole – antifungals (used to treat fungal infections)

• mirabegron – used to treat overactive bladder

• cinacalcet – calcimimetic (used in some dialysis patients and

  specific cancers)

• atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir,

  saquinavir, tipranavir – antiretrovirals (used to treat HIV)

• cobicistat – used to improve the effects of antiretrovirals (used

  to treat HIV)

• aprepitant – antiemetic (used to reduce vomiting)

• diltiazem – antihypertensive (used to increase blood flow and

  decrease heart rate)

• conivaptan – diuretic (used to increase low blood sodium levels)
• boceprevir, telaprevir – antiviral (used to treat Hepatitis C)
• imatinib – anticancer (used to treat cancer)
• amlodipine, ranolazine – used to treat angina pectoris

• cilostazol – used to treat cramp-like pain in your legs when you

  walk caused by insufficient blood supply in your legs

• isoniazid – used to treat tuberculosis
• cimetidine, ranitidine – antacids (used to treat indigestion)

• goldenseal – (also known as Hydrastis canadensis) a herbal

  preparation obtained without a prescription, used as a digestive aid.

  Medicines that may decrease the level of Cerdelga in the blood:

  • rifampicin, rifabutin – antibiotics (used to treat infections)

  • carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin – anti-epileptics

    (used to treat epilepsy and seizures)

  • St. John’s wort – (also known as Hypericum perforatum) a herbal

    preparation obtained without a prescription, used to treat depression and other conditions

Cerdelga may increase the level of the following types of medicines in the blood:

• dabigatran – anticoagulant (used to thin the blood)
• phenytoin – anti-epileptic (used to treat epilepsy and seizures)

• nortriptyline, amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine –

  antidepressants (used to treat depression)

• phenothiazines – antipsychotics (used to treat schizophrenia and

  psychosis)

• digoxin – used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation
• colchicine – used to treat gout

• metoprolol – used to lower blood pressure and/or reduce heart

  rate

• dextromethorphan – cough medicine

• atomoxetine – used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity

  disorder (ADHD)

• pravastatin – used to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease

Taking Cerdelga with food and drink

Avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice since it may increase the level of Cerdelga in your blood.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant, think that you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, tell your doctor who will discuss with you whether you can take this medicine during your pregnancy.

The active substance in this medicine has been shown to pass in trace amounts into breast milk in animals. Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with this medicine. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

There are no known effects on fertility at normal doses. Driving and using machines

Cerdelga may affect the ability to drive and use machines in patients who experience dizziness after its administration.

Cerdelga contains lactose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Cerdelga

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Cerdelga is available in 2 different strengths. Hard capsules containing 84 mg of eliglustat are blue-green and white and hard capsules containing 21 mg of eliglustat are fully white. When giving this medicine to your child, please ensure they are taking the right dose. Cerdelga is to be taken orally in children who can swallow intact capsule.

Cerdelga hard capsules should be taken whole with water at the same time every day. It may be taken with or without food. Those on twice daily dosing should take one dose in the morning and one dose at night.

Do not open, crush, dissolve, or chew the hard capsule before swallowing it. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, tell your doctor. Mixing the content of the capsule (eliglustat powder) into food or drinks has not been studied.

Recommended dose for adults

If you are an intermediate metaboliser or extensive metaboliser: Swallow one 84 mg capsule whole twice a day with water. It may be taken with or without food. Take one capsule in the morning and one capsule at night.

If you are a poor metaboliser:

Swallow one 84 mg capsule whole once a day with water. It may be taken with or without food. Take one capsule at the same time every day.

Recommended dose for children

The amount of this medicine your child takes depends on their body weight and on how they metabolise the medicine. The doctor will determine this before starting treatment.

Continue taking Cerdelga every day for as long as your doctor tells you.

How to dispense the 21 mg hard capsule

Break the foil covering the capsule using thumb and fore finger and push capsule out.

If you take more Cerdelga than you should

If you take more capsules than you were told to, consult your doctor immediately. You may experience dizziness marked by loss of balance, slow heart rate, nausea, vomiting and light-headedness.

If you forget to take Cerdelga

Take the next capsule at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Cerdelga

Do not stop taking Cerdelga without talking to your doctor. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Change in taste (dysgeusia)
• Palpitations
• Throat irritation
• Cough
• Heartburn (dyspepsia)
• Stomach ache (upper abdominal pain)
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Acid reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Bloating (abdominal distension)
• Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Gas (flatulence)
• Dry skin
• Hives (urticaria)
• Joint pain (arthralgia)
• Pain in arms, legs or back
• Tiredness (fatigue)

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Cerdelga

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton, sleeve and blister/wallet after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Cerdelga contains

The active substance is eliglustat (as tartrate).

Each hard capsule contains 21 mg of eliglustat.

The other ingredients are:

• In the capsule: cellulose, microcrystalline (E460), lactose monohydrate (see section 2 under ‘Cerdelga contains lactose’), hypromellose 15 mPa.S 2910 and glycerol dibehenate.
• In the capsule shell: gelatin (E441), potassium aluminium silicate (E555), titanium dioxide (E171).
• In the printing ink: shellac, black iron oxide (E172), propylene glycol (E1520) and ammonia solution, concentrated (E527).

What Cerdelga looks like and contents of the pack

Cerdelga 21 mg hard capsules have a pearl white opaque cap and pearl white opaque body with “GZ04” printed in black on the capsule.

Pack size of 56 hard capsules in 4 blisters of 14 capsules each. Not all packs may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Sanofi

410 Thames Valley Park Drive

Reading

Berkshire

RG6 1PT

UK

Tel: 0800 035 2525

Email: uk-medicalinformation@sanofi.com

Manufacturer

Patheon France

40 Boulevard de Champaret

Bourgoin Jallieu

38300

France

This leaflet does not contain all the information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This leaflet was last revised in June 2026.

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