Ravicti (glycerol phenylbutyrate)

RAVICTI is indicated for use as a nitrogen-binding agent for chronic management of

patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) who cannot be managed by dietary protein

restriction and/or amino acid supplementation alone. RAVICTI must be used with dietary

protein restriction and, in some cases, dietary supplements (e.g., essential amino acids,

arginine, citrulline, protein-free calorie supplements).


 

How does Ravicti work?

 

RAVICTI is indicated for use as a nitrogen-binding agent for chronic management of

patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) who cannot be managed by dietary protein

restriction and/or amino acid supplementation alone. RAVICTI must be used with dietary

protein restriction and, in some cases, dietary supplements (e.g., essential amino acids,

arginine, citrulline, protein-free calorie supplements).



 

What is the dose of Ravicti?

The recommended dosage range, based upon body surface area, in patients naïve to

phenylbutyrate (PBA) is 4.5 to 11.2 mL/m2

/day (5 to 12.4 g/m2

/day). For patients with some

residual enzyme activity who are not adequately controlled with protein restriction, the

recommended starting dosage is 4.5 mL/m2

/day.

In determining the starting dosage of RAVICTI in treatment-naïve patients, consider the

patient’s residual urea synthetic capacity, dietary protein requirements, and diet adherence.

Dietary protein is approximately 16% nitrogen by weight. Given that approximately 47% of

dietary nitrogen is excreted as waste and approximately 70% of an administered PBA dose

will be converted to urinary phenylacetylglutamine (U-PAGN), an initial estimated

RAVICTI dose for a 24-hour period is 0.6 mL RAVICTI per gram of dietary protein ingested

per 24-hour period. The total daily dosage should not exceed 17.5 mL. 





 

The recommended dosage range, based upon body surface area, in patients naïve to
phenylbutyrate (PBA) is 4.5 to 11.2 mL/m2
/day (5 to 12.4 g/m2
/day). For patients with some
residual enzyme activity who are not adequately controlled with protein restriction, the
recommended starting dosage is 4.5 mL/m2
/day.
In determining the starting dosage of RAVICTI in treatment-naïve patients, consider the
patient’s residual urea synthetic capacity, dietary protein requirements, and diet adherence.
Dietary protein is approximately 16% nitrogen by weight. Given that approximately 47% of
dietary nitrogen is excreted as waste and approximately 70% of an administered PBA dose
will be converted to urinary phenylacetylglutamine (U-PAGN), an initial estimated
RAVICTI dose for a 24-hour period is 0.6 mL RAVICTI per gram of dietary protein ingested
per 24-hour period. The total daily dosage should not exceed 17.5 mL. 

What are the side effects of Ravicti?

• Neurotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

• Pancreatic insufficiency or Intestinal Malabsorption [

 

[1] Ravicti website


Mohammadi O, Kassim TA. Azathioprine. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542190/
Mohammadi O, Kassim TA. Azathioprine. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542190/
Mohammadi O, Kassim TA. Azathioprine. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542190/