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Carglumic Acid

Generic: Carglumic acid

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Recordati
NDC
71863-114
ICD-10 indication
E72.4

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About Carglumic Acid

What is this medication? Carglumic acid is a prescription medication used to treat high levels of ammonia in the blood, a condition known as hyperammonemia. It is specifically indicated for patients with a rare genetic disorder called N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency. In healthy individuals, the body produces a substance called N-acetylglutamate to activate the urea cycle, which processes toxic ammonia into urea for excretion. People with NAGS deficiency cannot produce this substance, leading to a dangerous buildup of ammonia. Carglumic acid acts as a replacement for the missing N-acetylglutamate, helping the body restart the urea cycle and lower ammonia levels to a safer range.

In addition to treating primary NAGS deficiency, this medication may be used as an adjunctive treatment for acute hyperammonemia caused by certain organic acidemias, such as propionic acidemia or methylmalonic acidemia. It is typically administered as a tablet that is dispersed in water and taken orally or through a feeding tube. Because high ammonia levels can cause neurological damage or become life-threatening, treatment often begins immediately upon diagnosis or during an acute metabolic crisis. Regular blood tests are usually required to monitor ammonia levels and ensure the dosage remains effective for the patient's specific metabolic requirements.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: $0 per month
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: Not Publicly Available
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Eligible commercially insured patients; patients without insurance may be eligible for a Patient Assistance Program based on financial requirements.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Carglumic Acid. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Mar 3, 2026

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS & USAGE Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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) 1.1 Acute and Chronic Hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate Synthase (NAGS) Deficiency Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension are 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.
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE & 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. Patients with Renal Impairment (2.4) See Full Prescribing Information for Instructions on Dosage Adjustment. Preparation and Administration (2.5) Disperse Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension in water. Do not swallow whole or crush [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)]. Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension). During acute hyperammonemic episodes, administer carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension). 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 Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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)]. 2.4 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 Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension) 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 Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension) 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 Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension) 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 Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension) 2.5 Preparation and Administration Overview Disperse Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension in water. Do not swallow whole or crush. Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension do not dissolve completely in water, and undissolved particles of the tablet may remain in the mixing container. Take Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension immediately before meals or feedings. The Carglumic acid tablet 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 Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension as follows: Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension or each ½ or ¼ Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension needed for the prescribed dose. Add the Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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. Use of an Oral Syringe for Oral Administration For administration via an oral syringe, administer Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension as follows: Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension or each ½ or ¼ Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension needed for the prescribed dose. Add the Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension as follows: Add a minimum of 2.5 mL of water into a small cup for each Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension or each ½ or ¼ Carglumic acid tablet for oral suspension needed for the prescribed dose. Add the Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-224-0233, 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 Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension, 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 Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 2 Patients with NAGS deficiency Treated with Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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) 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension. 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 Risk Summary Although rare case reports of Carglumic acid tablets for oral suspension 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 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 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 Carglumic Acid appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

37%

2,035 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 5

On 79% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

89%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)60
19%
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)8
2%
Tier 5 (specialty)254
79%
Tier 61
0%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 0% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 323 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

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.