Phenylketonuria Medication

  • Author: Robert D Steiner, MD; Chief Editor: Bruce Buehler, MD   more...
 
Updated: Nov 23, 2011
 

Medication Summary

Treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) is primarily diet-based; however, some patients may benefit from the administration of large neutral amino acids (additional studies are needed) or of sapropterin. The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

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Nutritionals, Other

Class Summary

Some evidence suggests that consumption of high doses of other large neutral amino acids can increase competition with phenylalanine for crossing the blood-brain barrier into the brain, thus decreasing phenylalanine levels in the brain.

Clinical trials have shown that a subset of children with classic PKU respond to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) therapy, depending on their PAH gene mutation. Synthetic BH4 (sapropterin) is now approved as an orphan drug by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also consider restricting use of drugs and food that contain aspartame.

Large neutral amino acids (NeoPhe-PreKunil, PhenylAde, PreKunil)

 

Adults and older teenagers refusing dietary restrictions can be prescribed a preparation of high-dose large neutral amino acids (LNAAs). The long-term outlook merits further study. Young women of childbearing age need to realize this drug does not protect their fetus from the teratogenic effects of phenylalanine.

The main purpose of the tablets is to create a phenylalanine-blocking effect. It should be kept in mind that they contain high doses of tyrosine and tryptophan. Too much tyrosine can cause headaches, which limits the numbers of tabs that can be consumed. Furthermore, by competitive inhibition, they also counteract uptake of Phe across the blood-brain barrier, thus reducing its impairing effect on neurotransmitter production.

LNAAs may be ideal for young adults, for poorly compliant patients, and for late-diagnosed patients in whom compliance is low and in whom drinking formula can be a burden for the patient and caretakers.

The tablets must be combined with a certain amount of natural protein in order for the diet to contain sufficient protein. PreKunil does not contain lysine, an essential amino acid, and lysine deficiency has been reported. Individuals taking PreKunil continue to require nutritional assessment because teens and adults who are "off diet" often fail to consume sufficient protein to meet essential amino acid and vitamin/mineral requirements.

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Sapropterin (Kuvan)

 

Sapropterin is a synthetic form of BH4, the cofactor for the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). PAH hydroxylates phenylalanine through an oxidative reaction to form tyrosine. PAH activity is absent or deficient in patients with PKU. Treatment with BH4 can activate residual PAH, improve normal oxidative metabolism of phenylalanine, and decrease phenylalanine levels in some patients.

Sapropterin is indicated to reduce blood phenylalanine levels in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia caused by BH4-responsive PKU. It is used in conjunction with a phenylalanine-restricted diet.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert D Steiner, MD  Credit Unions for Kids Professor of Pediatric Research, Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular and Medical Genetics, Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty, Program in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Doernbecher Children's Hospital; Staff Consultant, Director of Metabolic Bone Disease Clinic, Shriners Hospital Portland

Robert D Steiner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Genetics, American Society of Human Genetics, Oregon Medical Association, Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Society for Pediatric Research, Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, and Western Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Amicus Honoraria Consulting; Actelion Honoraria Consulting; Actelion Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Biomarin Honoraria Consulting; Genzyme Honoraria Consulting; Shire Honoraria Consulting

Coauthor(s)

Georgianne L Arnold, MD  Faculty, Department of Pediatrics, Divison of Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Georgianne L Arnold, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Medical Genetics, American Society of Human Genetics, Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, and Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Disclosure: Biomarin Grant/research funds clinical trial

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Director RSA, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

David F Butler, MD Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mark A Crowe, MD Assistant Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Mark A Crowe, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and North American Clinical Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

William D James, MD, Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Vice-Chair, Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology.

Disclosure: Royalty from Elselvier.

Djordjije Karadaglic, MD, DSc Professor, School of Medicine, University of Podgorica, Podgorica, Montenegro

Djordjije Karadaglic, MD, DSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, and Serbian Association of DermatoVenereologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose

Zeljko P Mijuskovic, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Military Medical Academy, Serbia

Zeljko P Mijuskovic, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, European Society for Dermatological Research, International Society of Dermatology, and Serbian Association of DermatoVenereologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christian J Renner, MD Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Erlangen, Germany

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ljubomir Stojanov, MD, PhD Lecturer in Metabolism and Clinical Genetics, University of Belgrade School of Medicine, Serbia

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Phenylalanine hydroxylase converts phenylalanine to tyrosine.
Fair skin and hair resulting from impairment of melanin synthesis.
 
 
 
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