Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, affecting tyrosine metabolism. Patients accumulate homogentisic acid at 2000 times the normal rate, resulting in cartilage degradation and symptoms similar to early-onset osteoarthritis.

Personal Experience with Taking Nitisinone

Written by AKU Society UK, published 9 months ago.

The AKU Society have been collecting stories from other AKU patients on Nitisinone - some are taking it off-label, whereas others were given it as a part of a clinical trial to see if it is an effective treatment. This is one of those stories, to read more, download them here. We still need to know more about Nitisinone, so if there are any patients who are taking it regularly, please contact us to discuss your experiences.

"I’m in my late forties and I’m one of the few people who have been taking Nitisinone off label, for over 2 years now. Originally I started on a 1mg per day dose, but due to supply issues the dose was increased to the more readily available 2 mg capsule. While on the 1mg/day dose, the HGA in my urine was below the detectable limits of the analytical technique used (NMR). No measurements of plasma tyrosine were taken. Being a substantial man, I weigh approximately 100kg, the effective dose I was taking at this time was 0.01mg/kg/day, which equates to 1% of the dose taken by an HT-1 patient.

I have not noticed any adverse effects from taking Nitisinone. My view is that because of the existing damage to my joints, Nitisinone will not help to combat the existing damage, but it will still help by either preventing or slowing down the rate at which further damage may occur. For example, at present I do not appear to have any of the complications associated with cardiac valves. Taking Nitisinone now will hopefully prevent complications in the future. I will have to live with the existing damage to my joints, and the increased wear and tear the existing damage will cause to these joints."

Dr. Ducan Batty, AKU Society UK volunteer, details what using Nitisone off label means and how he think it has helped. Please download his report here.

Written by AKU Society UK, published 9 months ago.

No comment for «Personal Experience with Taking Nitisinone»

Expand all ]

No comment yet.

Leave a comment

You must be registered and signed in to leave a comment. Sign in now.

Alkaptonuria (AKU) Recent Activity

  • -

    Allergy
    topic, published 10 days ago

    show transcript

    I suffer since my childhood of different allergic reactions (rhinitis, cutaneous reactions and more recently I had twice a beginning of respiratory oedema without being able to determine exactly its origin ).
    I' m wondering if there are other Aku- patients suffering from allergy?
    I've been ...

  • -

    New abstract on AKU and shoulder prosthesis
    topic, published about 1 month ago

    show transcript

    Ochronotic arthropathy: diagnosis and management:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22482092?dopt=Abstract

    But what's a rritical review? critical review??

  • -

    Nitisinone
    topic, published about 1 month ago

    show transcript

    Hi,
    Is there the possibility of entering a clinical trial for the drug Nitisinone?
    Thanks.

  • -

    Degenerative Arthritis of the Knee Secondary to Ochronosis
    document, published 5 months ago

    show transcript

    Bulletin of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases 2011;69(4):331-4

  • -

    5th International Workshop on AKU
    topic, published 6 months ago

    show transcript

    A selection of presentations from those speakers who have given permission for their slideshows to be published are now available to download on the AKU Society website at:

    http://www.alkaptonuria.info/557296

    Thanks Oliver from the AKU Society

  • -

    LETTRE D’INFORMATION N° 14 (SEPTEMBRE 2011)
    document, published 8 months ago

    show transcript

    Cette lettre est diffusée par courrier postal ou internet aux personnes atteintes d’Alcaptonurie-Ochronose, à leurs familles, aux amis et aux membres de l’ALCAP, aux donateurs, aux médecins et chercheurs, et à toute personne qui s’intéresse à l’Alcaptonurie en France, en Belgique et en Suisse.

  • -

    Update
    topic, published 8 months ago

    show transcript

    After these summer months, with a moody weather season and my health being as variable as the weather, here I am back to you taking a little time to write.

    You certainly know that the AKU Society is organizing the 5th International Workshop on AKU This event will be held at the Medical Institu...

  • -

    Action shot photo competition of EULAR for world arthritis day
    topic, published 8 months ago

    show transcript

    Dear all,
    I just submitted an 'action shot photo’ to enter a competition of
    the European Arthritis Foundation (EULAR) specially designed for the
    world arthritis day. The slogan for this competition is move to
    improve, i.e. how sport can improve mobility or slow down the
    progress of one’s ...

  • -

    AKU Society's Year in Review
    topic, published 10 months ago

    show transcript

    Check it out here:
    http://www.alkaptonuria.info/557292

    While on the website, don't forget to book for the upcoming November meeting in Liverpool:

    http://www.alkaptonuria.info/557296

  • -

    Getting information on AKU...
    topic, published 10 months ago

    show transcript

    The National Institutes of Health have Genetic and Rare Disease (GARD) Information specialists that may be able to help you find information.

    The GARD Information Center does not provide genetic counseling and does not offer diagnostic testing, referrals, medical treatment or advice.

    Ther...