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Overview: Emcitate is used to treat excess thyroid hormone levels in people with a rare genetic condition called MCT8 deficiency. It works by helping to regulate thyroid hormone levels in the body. Common symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, rash, and sweating. Tell your health care provider right away if you have a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, trouble sleeping, nightmares, or irritability. Your health care provider will adjust your dose of medicine to make sure it is safe and working well for you. Emcitate is a tablet that is mixed with water before swallowing.

Uses

What is Emcitate used for?

Emcitate (tiratricol) is used to treat excess thyroid hormone levels (thyrotoxicosis) in people with a rare genetic condition called monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) deficiency, also known as Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome.

Emcitate may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Emcitate work (mechanism of action)?

People with MCT8 deficiency have a faulty gene that affects the body’s ability to make a protein called monocarboxylate transporter 8. This protein normally transports the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) into the brain. Not having enough thyroid hormone in the brain can affect growth and development. It can also lead to high T3 levels in the blood, causing symptoms such as a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, weakness, sweating, or feeling shaky, nervous, or irritable.

Emcitate acts like T3. It attaches to thyroid hormone receptors and can enter tissues on its own, without needing the MCT8 protein. This can help regulate thyroid hormone levels in the body.

How is Emcitate supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Emcitate

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 350 mcg tablets for oral suspension

How should I store Emcitate?

Emcitate should be stored in a refrigerator, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Protect it from light. If you split a tablet, store the unused half in its original blister pack and outer carton in the refrigerator.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Emcitate?

The most common side effects of Emcitate are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Emcitate that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Emcitate?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Emcitate are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Emcitate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Emcitate and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Excess Thyroid Hormone Levels (Thyrotoxicosis). Emcitate can cause or worsen signs and symptoms of excess thyroid hormone levels. This can happen when starting treatment or increasing the dose. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to make sure this medicine is safe for you. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Emcitate?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Emcitate.

  • Emcitate 
  • Tiratricol
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Emcitate.

Overactive Thyroid Gland. Emcitate should not be taken if you have an overactive thyroid gland (primary hyperthyroidism). Ask your health care provider if you are not sure if you have hyperthyroidism.

What should I know about Emcitate before using it?

Do not take Emcitate unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. 

Do not stop taking Emcitate abruptly. This can cause or worsen symptoms of high thyroid hormone levels. Your health care provider can tell you how to slowly lower your dose if you need to stop taking Emcitate.

Emcitate should not be used for obesity or to lose weight, because this can lead to serious side effects. It is also not recommended for treating low thyroid hormone levels because of an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).

Do not share Emcitate with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Emcitate out of the reach of children. Since this medicine should be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Your dose of Emcitate will be based on your weight, symptoms, and thyroid hormone levels. Keep all appointments with your health care provider so they can adjust your dose as needed and make sure the medicine is working well for you.

Emcitate must be mixed with room temperature water before taking it. Do not swallow the tablets whole or chew or crush the tablets. Read and follow the instructions that come with this medicine and make sure you or a caregiver understands how to prepare and take it properly. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

If you throw up within 30 minutes of taking your dose of Emcitate, take another dose. Call your health care provider if you throw up a second time after taking a dose.

Emcitate can affect the results of certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers that you are taking this medicine.

Children under 8 years old may need regular eye exams to check for eye problems, such as cataracts.  Talk to your health care provider about whether you need eye exams if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Emcitate?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Emcitate is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Heart problems
  • High blood pressure

Other Medicines and Supplements. Emcitate may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Emcitate, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Emcitate could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Emcitate passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Emcitate while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Emcitate?

For more information about Emcitate, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.emcitate.com or call them at 844-434-3847.

Interactions

Does Emcitate interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Emcitate and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Emcitate.

Does Emcitate interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Emcitate may interact with many other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Emcitate.

  • Any other medicine that can affect thyroid hormone levels, such as levothyroxine, liothyronine, methimazole, or propylthiouracil
  • A bile acid sequestrant, such as cholestyramine (Prevalite), colestipol (Colestid), or colesevelam (Welchol), which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
  • A supplement or antacid containing calcium or iron
  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • Estrogen, which is found in certain pills, patches, creams, rings, or vaginal suppositories
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • A salicylate, such as diflunisal or salsalate, which is a medicine used for arthritis
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • Any product that contains caffeine, which is often found in medicines for reducing water weight (diuretics), staying awake, headaches, and hangover relief
  • A stimulant, such as amphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, or methylphenidate, which is a medicine commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin, and others), which is a medicine used to treat depression or to help quit smoking

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Emcitate. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Emcitate. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Emcitate?

If you or someone else has used too much Emcitate, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Emcitate?

If you miss a dose and it is more than 4 hours until your next scheduled dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you miss a dose and it is less than 4 hours until your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take double or extra doses.