Sucraid
Sucraid (sacrosidase) is an oral solution used to treat a rare genetic condition called congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID). It works as an enzyme supplement to help break down sucrose (table sugar), a common sugar found in food. Sucraid (sacrosidase) can be used in adults and children 5 months and older. It must be mixed with cold or room temperature liquids (e.g., water, milk, or baby formula) and taken every time you eat a meal or snack. Common side effects include stomach pain, vomiting, and nausea.
What is Sucraid (sacrosidase)?
What is Sucraid (sacrosidase) used for?
- Replaces sucrase in people (5 months and older) with congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID)
How Sucraid (sacrosidase) works
Sucraid (sacrosidase) is an enzyme replacement therapy that helps break down sucrose (table sugar), a common sugar in food. It replaces sucrase, a digestive enzyme that people with CSID don’t have enough of. Without sucrase, sugars can build up in the gut, causing diarrhea, gas, bloating, and stomach pain. By providing the missing enzyme, Sucraid (sacrosidase) helps digest sucrose and relieves CSID symptoms.
Drug facts
Side effects of Sucraid (sacrosidase)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Stomach pain (4%)
- Vomiting (3%)
- Nausea (2%)
- Diarrhea (2%)
- Constipation (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Trouble sleeping
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Dehydration
Sucraid (sacrosidase) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: rash, wheezing, itchiness, trouble breathing, swelling of the face
Pros and cons of Sucraid (sacrosidase)
Pros
- The only FDA-approved oral medication for CSID
- Generally well tolerated by most people
- Safe to take for children 5 months and up
Cons
- Can only be mixed with cold or room temperature water, milk, or baby formula
- Must be taken with each meal or snack
- Is only available from a specialty pharmacy
Pharmacist tips for Sucraid (sacrosidase)
- Sucraid (sacrosidase) solution comes with a scoop and a dropper. One full scoop or 28 drops from the dropper equals 1 ml. Make sure to rinse the scoop or dropper with water after each use.
- Sucraid (sacrosidase) is available in both a multiple-use and single-use bottles. Your healthcare team will help you decide which option is best for you.
- Mix Sucraid (sacrosidase) with water, milk, or baby formula. Don't take it with fruit juices like apple or orange juice since their acidity can affect how well the medication works.
- Sucraid (sacrosidase) should only be mixed with cold or room temperature liquids. Never heat up this medication since it’s sensitive to high temperatures and might not work as well.
- For best results, take half of your Sucraid (sacrosidase) dose before eating and the other half during the meal or snack. This helps break down sugars while you eat and can reduce digestive symptoms.
- Throw away any unused multi-use Sucraid (sacrosidase) 4 weeks after it's been opened as the medication contains no preservatives. Write the date you first opened the bottle on the label.
- Store Sucraid (sacrosidase) in the refrigerator. If you mix a dose with liquid but don’t use it right away, throw it away after 24 hours.
- Each single-dose Sucraid (sacrosidase) bottle contains 2 mL. Mix the entire bottle with 120 mL of liquid. If you only use half of the mixture, store the other half in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Common questions about Sucraid
CSID is a rare genetic condition that makes it hard for your body to digest certain sugars and starches. Your body needs special enzymes to break down foods like bread, crackers, and potatoes. People with CSID either don’t have these enzymes or don’t have enough of them, which can cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, and stomach pain after eating certain foods. In some cases, CSID can lead to serious problems like malnutrition, which happens when your body doesn’t get enough nutrients. Sucraid helps replace the missing enzyme, making it easier for you to digest food and reduce symptoms.
Even though Sucraid doesn't directly cause weight gain, it helps your body digest table sugar by breaking it down into smaller parts. This can prevent malnutrition and weight loss caused by CSID, allowing for healthy weight gain.
Yes. Sucraid is an enzyme (protein) that comes from yeast. It replaces sucrase, a digestive enzyme that your body normally makes to help break down sugar.
Sucraid breaks down sucrose (table sugar) into fructose and glucose, which are smaller sugars your body can absorb. This helps relieve symptoms of CSID by improving digestion. Foods that contain sucrose include fruits (like apricots and tangerines), vegetables (like beets and carrots), and baked goods (like breakfast cereals and muffins).
Most people who take Sucraid as directed start to see improvement in digestive symptoms like diarrhea, gas, and bloating within the first two weeks of treatment.
Sucraid has a slightly sweet taste since it's a liquid enzyme solution, especially when mixed with water, milk, or baby formula as recommended. If you have concerns about the taste, you can talk to your prescriber for suggestions on how to take it.
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Risks and warnings for Sucraid (sacrosidase)
Sucraid (sacrosidase) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Allergic to yeast, glycerin, or papain
Sucraid (sacrosidase) can cause allergic reactions, which can be life-threatening. Your risk is higher if you're allergic to yeast, glycerin (a sugar alcohol found in some cough medications and moisturizers), or papain (a protein found in unripe papaya). Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of allergic reactions, such as hives, shortness of breath, and swelling of your face, lips, or throat.
High blood sugar
- Risk factors: People with diabetes
Sucraid (sacrosidase) works by breaking down sucrose into glucose and fructose, smaller sugar components that your body absorbs. This can raise blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes. Your prescriber might check your blood sugar and adjust your diet if needed to help keep it in a healthy range.
Low starch diet
Sucraid (sacrosidase) doesn’t replace isomaltase, an enzyme that helps break down starch. This means you might still have CSID symptoms even after taking the medication. If your symptoms don’t improve, you might need to limit starchy foods like bread, bananas, and potatoes. Talk to your prescriber about adjusting your diet if needed.
Sucraid (sacrosidase) dosage
Typical dosage for Sucraid (sacrosidase)
- People weighing 15 kg (33 lbs) and under: The typical dose is 1 ml (8,500 IU) mixed with 2 ounces (60 ml) of water, milk, or baby formula. Take by mouth with each meal and snack.
- People weighing more than 15 kg (33 lbs): The typical dose is 2 ml (17,000 IU) mixed with 4 ounces (120 ml) of water, milk, or baby formula. Take by mouth with each meal and snack.
Sucraid (sacrosidase) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Sucraid (sacrosidase) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergic to yeast, yeast products, glycerin, or papain (protein found in papaya fruit)