Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using Galafold?
Galafold contains the active ingredient migalastat. Galafold is used for the long-term treatment of Fabry disease in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older who have certain genetic mutations (amenable mutations).
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Galafold? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use Galafold?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Galafold or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Galafold? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Galafold and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
4. How do I use Galafold?
Take one capsule every other day at the same time of the day. Swallow the capsule whole.
Take the GALAFOLD capsule on an empty stomach. Do not eat food at least 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking Galafold to give a minimum 4 hours fast.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Galafold? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using Galafold?
| Things you should do |
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| Things you should not do |
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| Driving or using machines |
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| Drinking alcohol |
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| Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Galafold? in the full CMI.
6. Are there any side effects?
Very common side effect that may affect more than 1 in 10 people includes: headache. Common side effects that may affect up to 1 in 10 people include: constipation, depression, diarrhoea, dizziness, dry mouth, feeling sick (nausea), incorrect dose administered, indigestion (dyspepsia), muscle pain (myalgia), muscle spasms, nose bleed (epistaxis), pain, painful stiff neck (torticollis), palpitations (the feeling of a pounding heart), persistent itch (pruritus), protein in the urine (proteinuria), raised levels of creatine phosphokinase in blood tests, rash, reduced sense of touch or sensation (hypoaesthesia), sensation of spinning (vertigo), shortness of breath (dyspnoea), stomach ache, sudden need to pass stools, tingling in extremities (paraesthesia), tiredness, and weight gain. Serious side effects include: depression, high blood pressure (systolic hypertension), low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), memory changes, liver injury, chest pain (musculoskeletal chest pain), overdose, palpitations (the feeling of a pounding heart), sharp or clear vision reduced, or abnormal central or peripheral vision, or night vision effected (visual acuity reduced), and shortness of breath (dyspnoea).
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Galafold® Hard Capsules(Gal-a-fold)
Active ingredient(s): migalastat
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Galafold. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Galafold.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Galafold?
2. What should I know before I use Galafold?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use Galafold?
5. What should I know while using Galafold?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using Galafold?
Galafold contains the active ingredient migalastat.
Galafold is used for the long-term treatment of Fabry disease in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older who have certain genetic mutations (amenable mutations).
Fabry disease is caused by the lack of or a faulty enzyme called alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A). Depending upon the kind of mutation (change) in the gene that produces α-Gal A, the enzyme does not work properly or is completely absent. This enzyme defect leads to abnormal deposits of a fatty substance known as globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) leading to the symptoms of Fabry disease.
This medicine works by stabilising the enzyme that your body produces naturally, so that it can work better to reduce the amount of GL-3 that has accumulated in your cells and tissues.
2. What should I know before I use Galafold?
Warnings
Do not use Galafold if:
- you are allergic to migalastat, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor if you:
- have any kidney problems.
- are also receiving enzyme replacement therapy.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. There is very limited experience with the use of this medicine in pregnant women. It is not recommended to use Galafold during pregnancy. While taking Galafold you should use effective birth control.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. It is not yet known whether this medicine passes into human breast milk. Your doctor will decide whether you need to stop breast-feeding or temporarily stop your medicine.
Fertility
It is not yet known if this medicine affects fertility in both men or women. If you are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice.
Children and adolescents
This medicine is not suitable for adolescents aged 12 years to < 18 years and weighing < 45 kg.This medicine has not been studied in children under the age of 12 years; therefore, the effects in this age group are not known and use is not recommended.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
4. How do I use Galafold?
How much to take / use
- Take one capsule every other day at the same time of the day.
- DO NOT take Galafold daily.
- Follow the instructions provided and use Galafold until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to take / use Galafold
- Take the GALAFOLD capsule on an empty stomach. Do not eat food at least 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking Galafold to give a minimum 4 hours fast. Food may interfere with the absorption of the medicine. A minimum of 4 hours fasting-around taking your medicine is needed to allow your medicine to be fully absorbed. Clear liquids can be consumed during this period.
- Swallow the capsule whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew the capsule.
How to remove a capsule
Step 1. Remove the adhesive seal holding the cover.
Lift the cover of your GALAFOLD carton (See Figure A).
Step 2. Press and continue holding down the purple tab with your thumb at the left side of the carton (See Figure B), and continue to Step 3.
Step 3. Now GRASP the tab on the right side where it says “PULL OUT HERE” and pull out the folded blister card (See Figure C).
Step 4. Unfold the blister card (See Figure D).
Taking GALAFOLD capsules:
Each GALAFOLD blister card contains 14 GALAFOLD capsules (enough for 28 days of treatment with GALAFOLD) and 14 white cardboard circles. The white cardboard circles are to remind you to take GALAFOLD every other day.
The arrow directs the patient to begin the next 2 weeks of treatment.
Step 5. On your first day of taking this medicine from a new blister card, record the date on the blister card (See Figure F).
Step 6.TURN the card OVER showing the back of the card.
LOCATE capsule to remove. BEND the card as shown (See Figure G).
Note: Bending the card helps raise the oval perforated cardboard.
Step 7. REMOVE the oval perforated 
cardboard (See Figure H).
Note: After removing the cardboard, the white backing of the foil may be present, which is ok.
Step 8. TURN the card OVER showing the front of the card.
PUSH the capsule out (See Figure I).
Step 9. On the next day, remove the perforated white cardboard circle on the top row labelled Day 2.
Press down on the white cardboard circle removing it (See Figure J).
Note: Removing this circle will help you remember which day you do not take the medicine.
Take 1 GALAFOLD capsule every other day.
Close package and store after each use.
After Day 2, move to Day 3 on the blister card.
Alternate daily between taking the capsule and pushing out the perforated white cardboard circles, up to and including day 28.
If you forget to use Galafold
Galafold should be used regularly at the same time every other day.
If you miss your dose and it is more than 12 hours since your normal scheduled time, you should take your dose on the next planned dosing day and time according to the every other day dosing schedule.
If you miss your dose at the scheduled time but it is within 12 hours, take your dose.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you use too much Galafold
If you think that you have used too much Galafold, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
- phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), - contact your doctor, or pharmacist, or
- go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using Galafold?
Things you should do
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may want to do some blood and other tests from time to time to check on your progress and to check for any unwanted side effects.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
- Do not feel well while you are taking Galafold. Remind any doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or nurse you visit that you are using Galafold.
Things you should not do
- Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Galafold affects you.
No specific studies have been conducted to assess the direct effect of Galafold on the ability to drive and use machines.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol while taking Galafold.
Looking after your medicine
- Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the capsules out of the pack, they may not keep well.
- Keep your capsules where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
- in the bathroom or near a sink, or
- in the car or on windowsills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
| Less serious side effects | What to do |
More broad or affecting different parts of the body:
Muscle or pain-related:
Gastrointestinal related:
Skin related:
Laboratory blood test-related:
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
More broad or affecting different parts of the body:
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Call your doctor straight away, if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What Galafold contains
| Active ingredient | 123 mg migalastat equivalent to 150 mg migalastat hydrochloride |
| Other ingredients | Capsule contents: Pregelatinised maize starch and magnesium stearate Capsule shell: Gelatin, titanium dioxide, and indigo carmine Printing ink: Shellac, iron oxide black, and potassium hydroxide |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Galafold looks like
Galafold 123 mg migalastat hard capsule is opaque blue, and white hard capsules, marked with “A1001” in black ink, containing white to pale brown powder.
A blister pack size containing 14 hard capsules.
(Aust R 276051)
Who distributes Galafold
Amicus Therapeutics Pty Ltd
21 Dorset Road
Northbridge, NSW 2063
Australia
Galafold® is a registered trademark of Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.
Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.
This leaflet was prepared in Nov 2022.
Published by MIMS January 2023