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Carbaglu

Generic: Carglumic Acid

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Recordati
NDC
52276-312
RxCUI
905390
Route
ORAL
ICD-10 indication
E72.29

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About Carbaglu

What is this medication? Carbaglu, which contains the active ingredient carglumic acid, is a prescription medication primarily used to treat a rare genetic disorder called N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency, or NAGS deficiency. In people with this condition, the body lacks an enzyme needed to process ammonia, leading to a dangerous buildup of this toxin in the blood known as hyperammonemia. Carbaglu works by acting as a replacement for the missing natural activator that triggers the urea cycle, allowing the body to properly convert ammonia into urea so it can be safely excreted through urine.

In addition to treating NAGS deficiency, this medication is also approved to manage acute high ammonia levels in patients with certain organic acidemias, such as propionic acidemia and methylmalonic acidemia. It can be used as a lifelong maintenance therapy for chronic conditions or as a temporary intervention during medical emergencies when ammonia levels spike significantly. By effectively lowering blood ammonia, Carbaglu helps prevent severe neurological damage and other life-threatening complications associated with urea cycle disorders.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: $0 copay
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: Not Publicly Available
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Must be a qualified patient with commercial insurance. Patient Assistance Programs are also available for patients who are uninsured or underinsured; eligibility requirements may apply.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Carbaglu. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Jan 25, 2024

Indications and usage
1. INDICATIONS AND USAGE CARBAGLU is a carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS 1) activator indicated in pediatric and adult patients as: Adjunctive therapy to standard of care for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency. ( 1.1 ) Maintenance therapy for the treatment of chronic hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency. ( 1.1 ) Adjunctive therapy to standard of care for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia due to propionic acidemia (PA) or methylmalonic acidemia (MMA). ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Acute and Chronic Hyperammonemia due to N‑acetylglutamate Synthase (NAGS) Deficiency CARBAGLU is indicated in adult and pediatric patients as: Adjunctive therapy to standard of care for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency. Maintenance therapy for the treatment of chronic hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency. 1.2 Acute Hyperammonemia due to Propionic Acidemia (PA) or Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA) CARBAGLU is indicated in adult and pediatric patients as adjunctive therapy to standard of care for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA.
Dosage and administration
2. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Acute Hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency ( 2.2 ) The recommended dosage in adult and pediatric patients is 100 mg/kg to 250 mg/kg orally daily. Divide the daily dosage into 2 to 4 doses. Chronic Hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency ( 2.2 ) The recommended dosage in adult and pediatric patients is 10 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg orally daily. Divide the daily dosage into 2 to 4 doses. Therapeutic Monitoring for NAGS Deficiency ( 2.2 ) Closely monitor plasma ammonia and titrate dosage to maintain the ammonia level within normal range for the patient's age, taking into consideration their clinical condition. Acute Hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA ( 2.3 ) The recommended dosage in adult and pediatric patients is: 150 mg/kg orally daily for patients less than or equal to 15 kg 3.3 g/m 2 orally daily for patients greater than 15 kg Divide the daily dosage into 2 doses. Continue treatment until ammonia level is less than 50 micromol/L and for a maximum duration of 7 days. Patients with Renal Impairment ( 2.4 ) See Full Prescribing Information for Instructions on Dosage Adjustment. Preparation and Administration ( 2.5 ) Disperse CARBAGLU tablets in water. Do not swallow whole or crushed. Take immediately before meals or feedings. For additional instructions on preparation and administration orally or through a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube, see Full Prescribing Information. 2.1 Important Administration Instructions Disperse CARBAGLU tablets in water. Do not swallow whole or crush [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . CARBAGLU may be administered by mouth or via a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Acute or Chronic Hyperammonemia due to NAGS Deficiency Treatment Initiation Initiate CARBAGLU treatment as soon as the diagnosis of NAGS deficiency is suspected, which may be as soon as at birth, and supervised by a healthcare provider experienced in the treatment of metabolic disorders. Dosage for Acute Hyperammonemia due to NAGS Deficiency The recommended dosage of CARBAGLU in adult and pediatric patients for acute hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency is (based on actual body weight) 100 mg/kg to 250 mg/kg orally daily. Divide the daily dosage into 2 to 4 doses and round to the nearest 100 mg (i.e., half of a CARBAGLU tablet). During acute hyperammonemic episodes, administer CARBAGLU with other ammonia lowering therapies, such as alternate pathway medications, hemodialysis, and protein restriction. Dosage for Chronic Hyperammonemia due to NAGS Deficiency The recommended dosage of CARBAGLU in adult and pediatric patients for chronic hyperammonemia due to NAGS deficiency is (based on actual body weight) 10 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg orally daily. Divide the daily dosage into 2 to 4 doses and round to the nearest 100 mg (i.e., half of a CARBAGLU tablet). During maintenance therapy, the concomitant use of other ammonia lowering therapies and protein restriction may be needed based on plasma ammonia levels. Therapeutic Monitoring Closely monitor plasma ammonia levels. Titrate the CARBAGLU dosage to maintain the plasma ammonia level within the normal range for the patient's age, taking into consideration their clinical condition (e.g., nutritional requirements, protein intake, growth parameters, etc.). Adjust the recommended dosage in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . 2.3 Recommended Dosage for Acute Hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA Treatment Initiation Initiate CARBAGLU for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia in patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of PA or MMA. Dosage for Acute Hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA The recommended dosage of CARBAGLU in adult and pediatric patients with acute hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA is (based on actual body weight): 150 mg/kg orally daily for patients less than or equal to 15 kg 3.3 g/m 2 orally daily for patients greater than 15 kg Divide the daily dosage into 2 equal doses and round up to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet). Administer doses 12 hours apart. Continue CARBAGLU treatment until the patient's ammonia level is less than 50 micromol/L and for a maximum duration of 7 days. During acute hyperammonemic episodes, administer CARBAGLU with other ammonia lowering therapies, such as intravenous glucose, insulin, L-carnitine, protein restriction, and dialysis. Adjust the recommended dosage in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . 2.4 Dosage Adjustment in Patients with Renal Impairment No dosage adjustment is warranted in patients with mild renal impairment (eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ). The recommended dosage of CARBAGLU in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment is shown below. Moderate Renal Impairment (eGFR 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) Severe Renal Impairment (eGFR 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) Acute Hyperammonemia due to NAGS Deficiency 50 mg/kg/day to 125 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to 4 doses and rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet) 15 mg/kg/day to 60 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to 4 doses and rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet) Chronic Hyperammonemia due to NAGS Deficiency 5 mg/kg/day to 50 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to 4 doses and rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet) 2 mg/kg/day to 25 mg/kg/day divided into 2 to 4 doses and rounded to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet) Acute Hyperammonemia due to PA or MMA 75 mg/kg/day for patients weighing ≤ 15 kg 1.7 g/m 2 /day for patients weighting > 15 kg Divide daily dosage into 2 equal doses and round up to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet); administer each dose 12 hours apart. 25 mg/kg/day for patients weighing ≤ 15 kg 0.55 g/m 2 /day for patients weighting > 15 kg Divide daily dosage into 2 equal doses and round up to the nearest 50 mg (i.e., one-quarter of a CARBAGLU tablet); administer each dose 12 hours apart. 2.5 Preparation and Administration Overview Disperse CARBAGLU tablets in water. Do not swallow whole or crush. CARBAGLU tablets do not dissolve completely in water, and undissolved particles of the tablet may remain in the mixing container. Take CARBAGLU immediately before meals or feedings. The CARBAGLU suspension has a slightly acidic taste. For all preparations, use in foods or liquids other than water has not been studied and is not recommended. Oral Administration For oral administration, administer CARBAGLU as follows: Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each CARBAGLU tablet or each ½ or ¼ CARBAGLU tablet needed for the prescribed dose. Add the CARBAGLU tablets to the water in the cup. Carefully stir the tablet and water mixture. Swallow the mixture immediately. Pieces of the tablet may remain in the cup. Rinse the cup with additional water and swallow the mixture immediately. Repeat as needed until no pieces of the tablet are left in the cup. U s e of an O r al Sy ri nge for Oral Administration For administration via an oral syringe, administer CARBAGLU as follows: Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each CARBAGLU tablet or each ½ or ¼ CARBAGLU tablet needed for the prescribed dose. Add the CARBAGLU tablets to the water in the cup. Carefully stir the tablet and water mixture. Draw up the mixture in an oral syringe and administer immediately. Pieces of the tablet may remain in the oral syringe. Refill the oral syringe with a minimum volume of water (1 mL to 2 mL) and administer immediately. Flush the oral syringe again, as needed, until no pieces of the tablet are left in the syringe. Use of Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube) or Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube) for Feeding Tube Administration For patients who have a NG tube or G-tube in place, administer CARBAGLU as follows: Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each CARBAGLU tablet or each ½ or ¼ CARBAGLU tablet needed for the prescribed dose. Add the CARBAGLU tablets to the water in the cup. Carefully stir the tablet and water mixture. Draw up the mixture into a catheter-tip syringe. Administer the mixture immediately through the NG tube or G-tube. Pieces of the tablet may remain in the catheter-tip syringe or the feeding tube. Flush immediately with 1 to 2 mL of additional water to clear the NG tube or G-tube. Flush the NG tube or G-tube again, as needed, until no pieces of the tablet are left in the syringe or the feeding tube.
Contraindications
4. CONTRAINDICATIONS None None. ( 4 )
Adverse reactions
6. ADVERSE REACTIONS NAGS deficiency : Most common adverse reactions (≥13%) are vomiting, abdominal pain, pyrexia, tonsillitis, anemia, diarrhea, ear infection, infections, nasopharyngitis, hemoglobin decreased, and headache. ( 6.1 ) PA and MMA : Most common adverse reactions (≥5%) are neutropenia, anemia, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, decreased appetite, hypoglycemia, lethargy/stupor, encephalopathy and pancreatitis/lipase increased. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Recordati Rare Diseases Inc. at 1-888-575-8344, 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. Acute and Chronic Hyperammonemia due to NAGS Deficiency In a retrospective case series of 23 NAGS deficiency patients treated with CARBAGLU, 17 of the 23 patients reported an adverse reaction. The most common adverse reactions (occurring in ≥ 13% of patients) were vomiting, abdominal pain, pyrexia, tonsillitis, anemia, diarrhea, ear infection, infections, nasopharyngitis, hemoglobin decreased, and headache. Table 1 summarizes adverse reactions occurring in 2 or more patients treated with CARBAGLU. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 2 Patients with NAGS deficiency Treated with CARBAGLU in the Retrospective Case Series Adverse Reaction Number of Patients (N) (%) Vomiting 6 (26) Abdominal pain 4 (17) Pyrexia 4 (17) Tonsillitis 4 (17) Anemia 3 (13) Diarrhea 3 (13) Ear infection 3 (13) Infections 3 (13) Nasopharyngitis 3 (13) Hemoglobin decreased 3 (13) Headache 3 (13) Dysgeusia 2 (9) Asthenia 2 (9) Hyperhidrosis 2 (9) Influenza 2 (9) Pneumonia 2 (9) Weight decreased 2 (9) Anorexia 2 (9) Somnolence 2 (9) Rash 2 (9) Acute Hyperammonemia due to PA and MMA In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 24 patients (15 with PA and 9 with MMA) experienced a total of 90 hyperammonemic episodes which were randomized 1:1 to be treated with either CARBAGLU or placebo, each in addition to standard-of-care therapy, with randomization based on each hyperammonemic episode. The average patient age (SD) was 9.2 years (7.7) and 12 (50 %) were males. CARBAGLU was administered at a dosage of 150 mg/kg/day for patients ≤15 kg or 3.3 g/m 2 /day for patients >15 kg, divided into 2 doses, for a median duration of 4.14 days. At least 1 adverse reaction was reported during the course of hyperammonemic episodes in 42% of hyperammonemic episodes. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) during hyperammonemic episodes were neutropenia, anemia, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, decreased appetite, hypoglycemia, lethargy/stupor, encephalopathy and pancreatitis/lipase increased. Table 2 summarizes adverse reactions (≥2%) during hyperammonemic episodes in patients with PA or MMA treated with CARBAGLU or placebo. Table 2: Adverse Reactions (≥ 2%) During Hyperammonemic Episodes in Patients with PA or MMA Treated with CARBAGLU or Placebo Adverse Reaction Treatment Arm CARBAGLU N=42 episodes PLACEBO N=48 episodes N (%) N (%) Neutropenia 6 (14) 4 (8) Anemia 5 (12) 4 (8) Vomiting 3 (7) 1 (2) Electrolyte imbalance 3 (7) 2 (4) Decreased appetite 2 (5) 1 (2) Hypoglycemia 2 (5) 1 (2) Lethargy/Stupor 2 (5) 1 (2) Encephalopathy 2 (5) 0 (0) Pancreatitis/Lipase increased 2 (5) 0 (0) Cardiomyopathy 1 (2) 0 (0) Alanine aminotransferase increased 1 (2) 0 (0) Aspartate aminotransferase increased 1 (2) 0 (0) Infusion site extravasation 1 (2) 0 (0) White blood cell count increased 1 (2) 0 (0) Behavior disorder 1 (2) 0 (0) Sleep disorder 1 (2) 0 (0) Apnea 1 (2) 0 (0) Hyperventilation 1 (2) 0 (0) 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of CARBAGLU. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Psychiatric disorders : mania Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : pruritus, rash including rash erythematous, rash maculopapular, rash pustular
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women with NAGS deficiency exposed to CARBAGLU. If CARBAGLU is administered during pregnancy, health care providers should report CARBAGLU exposure by calling 1-888-575-8344. Risk Summary Although rare case reports of CARBAGLU use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes, untreated NAGS deficiency, PA and MMA can result in irreversible neurologic damage and death in pregnant women (see Clinical Considerations ). In an animal reproduction study, decreased survival and growth occurred in offspring born to rats that received carglumic acid at a dose approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, miscarriage, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Pregnant women with urea cycle disorders, PA, and MMA may experience an increase in catabolic stress which can trigger a hyperammonemic crisis both in the intrapartum and in the post-partum (3-14 days post-partum) periods. Maternal complications related to hyperammonemic crisis can include neurological impairment, coma and in some cases death. Data Animal Data No effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in pregnant rats treated with up to 2000 mg/kg/day (approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC [area under the plasma concentration-time curve]) from two weeks prior to mating through organogenesis or in pregnant rabbits treated with up to 1000 mg/kg/day (approximately 6 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC) during organogenesis. In a pre- and post-natal developmental study, female rats received oral carglumic acid from organogenesis through lactation at doses of 500 mg/kg/day and 2000 mg/kg/day. Decreased growth of offspring was observed at 500 mg/kg/day and higher (approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC), and reduction in offspring survival during lactation was observed at 2000 mg/kg/day (approximately 38 times the maximum reported human maintenance dose [100 mg/kg/day] based on AUC). No effects on physical and sexual development, learning and memory, or reproductive performance were observed through maturation of the surviving offspring at maternal doses up to 2000 mg/kg/day. The high dose (2000 mg/kg/day) produced maternal toxicity (impaired weight gain and approximately 10% mortality).

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How Carbaglu appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

0%

24 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 1

On 67% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

100%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)2
67%
Tier 5 (specialty)1
33%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 0% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 3 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

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How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.