For US patients and caregivers
Wilson disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to process and eliminate copper. Over time, copper builds up in vital organs like the liver and brain. This can lead to a variety of symptoms and—if left untreated—death. Symptoms of Wilson disease typically appear in late adolescence but can begin at any age.
Early symptoms of Wilson disease may include
Jaundice
Tremors
Depression
Abdominal swelling or pain
Difficulty walking, talking, and swallowing
Aggression
Vomiting of blood
Homicidal or suicidal behavior
Menstrual irregularities
No representations are made regarding the effect of Galzin on these conditions.
Diagnosing Wilson disease can be challenging because the symptoms often overlap with other conditions.
Some tests and procedures your doctor may use to diagnose Wilson disease include
Wilson disease is an easily treatable condition once diagnosed. For most people, the first step is working with your doctor to reduce the amount of copper that has accumulated in the body with a chelating agent. Chelating agents bind to excess copper in the body, allowing the copper to be eliminated through urine. Once your copper levels are under control, a maintenance therapy like zinc acetate can be started.
Some people are diagnosed with Wilson disease without having any symptoms—this is called being asymptomatic. People who are asymptomatic often can immediately start treatment with zinc acetate.
Zinc acetate blocks copper from being absorbed in the intestines, allowing for any excess copper to be eliminated from the body.
GALZIN® (zinc acetate) is a prescription medicine used as a maintenance treatment of Wilson’s disease in patients that were initially treated with a medication used to remove metallic deposits in the body.
Always take GALZIN exactly as your doctor has directed.
Do not take GALZIN if you are allergic to zinc acetate or any of its other ingredients.
You should take GALZIN on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two to three hours after meals.
Capsules should be swallowed whole, not opened or chewed.
Copper Deficiency: Zinc acetate taken over long periods of time (i.e., months to years) may result in a loss of your body’s ability to absorb copper and therefore very low levels of copper. Your doctor will monitor you for signs and/or symptoms of low levels of copper during treatment with GALZIN. Your treatment may be interrupted so your doctor can test for zinc levels.
Gastric Ulcer: Gastric (stomach) ulcers may develop with long-term use of zinc acetate. If you develop signs and/or symptoms of stomach ulcers during treatment with zinc acetate. Your doctor will have you discontinue GALZIN treatment.
The most common adverse reactions are inflammation of the stomach lining, and increased levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (an enzyme that breaks down proteins), amylase (an enzyme that breaks starch into sugars), and lipase (an enzyme that helps the body digest fat) lasting from weeks to months suggesting pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs by contacting Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-224-0233 or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
For order or insurance inquiries, questions, or support, please contact us at our specialty pharmacy, Optime Care:
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