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sephience

Sephience (Sepiapterin) is a medication used to treat Phenylketonurias.

Sepiapterin · by Ptc Therap

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Sepiapterin
Form
Powder
Strength
Sepiapterin 1GM/PACKET · Sepiapterin 250MG/PACKET
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
Manufacturer
Ptc Therap
FDA application
NDA219666

What is Sephience?

From the FDA label:SEPHIENCE (sepiapterin) contains the drug substance sepiapterin, a PAH activator. Sepiapterin is a yellow to orange powder. Sepiapterin is slightly soluble in water with the solubility at 1.4 mg/mL. The chemical name of sepiapterin is (S) -2-amino-6-(2-hydroxypropanoyl)-7,8-dihydropteridin-4 (3H) -one. The molecular formula is C 9 H 11 N 5 O 3 and the molecular weight is 237.22 g/mol. The structural formula is: SEPHIENCE oral powder contains either 250 mg or 1,000 mg of sepiapterin to be administered orally. The inactive ingredients are: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, isomalt, magnesium stearate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, sucralose, and xanthan gum. Chemical Structure

How to use

Patients treated with SEPHIENCE should be on a dietary protein and a Phe-restricted diet. ( 2.1 ) Administer SEPHIENCE orally once daily with food. ( 2.2 ) The recommended starting dosage of SEPHIENCE is: ( 2.2 ) Age SEPHIENCE (mg/kg) per day Less than 6 months 7.5 mg/kg 6 months to less than 1 year 15 mg/kg 1 year to less than 2 years 30 mg/kg 2 years and older 60 mg/kg Important Administration Information: prepare SEPHIENCE calculated daily doses of < 1,000 mg as a liquid mixture (25 mg/mL), and administer exact prescribed dose volume (mL). ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) See full prescribing information for complete preparation and administration instructions. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Important Recommendation Prior to SEPHIENCE Treatment Treatment with SEPHIENCE should be directed by physicians knowledgeable in the management of PKU. Biochemical response to SEPHIENCE treatment cannot generally be pre-determined by laboratory testing (e.g., molecular testing), and should be determined through a therapeutic evaluation of SEPHIENCE [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. Obtain baseline blood Phe concentration before initiating treatment. All patients with PKU who are treated with SEPHIENCE should be on a dietary protein and Phe-restricted diet that is based on blood Phe levels. Patients should undergo regular dietary assessments, including protein and Phe intake, by their…

Side effects

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Increased Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Hypophenylalaninemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Most common adverse reactions with SEPHIENCE (≥2% and greater than placebo) were diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, hypophenylalaninemia, feces discoloration, and oropharyngeal pain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact PTC Therapeutics, Inc. at 1-866-562-4620 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of SEPHIENCE was evaluated in Trial 1 [Part 1 (open label); Part 2, (placebo-controlled)]; and Trial 2 (open-label). The two trials included a total of 215 SEPHIENCE-treated patients with PKU: 10 (5%) were <2 years old, 118 (55%) were ≥2 and <17 years old, and 87 (40%) were ≥17 years old. All patients received SEPHIENCE from 7.5 mg/kg/day up to 60 mg/kg/day and the median duration of treatment (in weeks) was 25.5 [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . Trial 1 Trial 1 included a total of 157 patients (85 male and 72 female, aged 1 year to 61…

Warnings

Important safety information

Increased Bleeding : SEPHIENCE may increase the risk of bleeding. Consider treatment interruption in patients with active bleeding. ( 5.1 ) Hypophenylalaninemia : Some pediatric PKU patients experienced hypophenylalaninemia; monitor patients blood Phe levels during treatment. ( 5.2 ) Interaction with Levodopa : Seizures, over-stimulation or irritability may occur; monitor patients for a change in neurologic status. ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Increased Bleeding SEPHIENCE may increase the risk of bleeding. Bleeding events, including superficial hematomas, prolonged bleeding, and heavy menstrual bleeding have occurred in patients treated with SEPHIENCE [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . One patient with non-traumatic superficial hematomas and prolonged bleeding was re-challenged at a lower dose of SEPHIENCE with recurrence of symptoms, which led to treatment discontinuation. The patient experienced symptoms 15 days after initial exposure and two days after rechallenge. The patient had normal blood counts and coagulation studies at the time of the bleeding. Inform the patient about the increased risk of bleeding associated with SEPHIENCE and to follow up with his/her healthcare provider if he/she experiences any signs of increased bleeding. Consider treatment interruption with SEPHIENCE in patients with active bleeding. 5.2 Hypophenylalaninemia In clinical trials of SEPHIENCE, some pediatric PKU patients experienced hypophenylalaninemia (low blood Phe), including some patients with multiple low blood Phe levels, during treatment with SEPHIENCE [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Prolonged levels of blood Phe that are too low have been associated with catabolism and endogenous protein breakdown, which has been associated with adverse developmental outcomes. Monitor blood Phe levels during treatment and if needed, modify the dosage of SEPHIENCE and/or dietary protein and Phe intake to ensure adequate blood Phe level control. Frequent blood Phe monitoring is recommended in the pediatric population [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )] . 5.3 Interaction with Levodopa In a 10-year post-marketing safety surveillance program for a non-PKU indication using another drug that is a phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) activator, 3 patients with underlying neurological disorders experienced seizures, exacerbation of seizures, over-stimulation, and irritability during co-administration with levodopa. Monitor patients who are receiving levodopa for changes in neurological status during treatment with SEPHIENCE [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] .

Who should not take Sephience

None. None. ( 4 )

Interactions

Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) Inhibitors : Avoid concomitant use (e.g., trimethoprim, methotrexate, trimetrexate, pemetrexed, pralatrexate, raltitrexed, or piritrexim). ( 7.1 ) Sepiapterin Reductase (SR) Inhibitors : Avoid concomitant use (e.g. sulfasalazine or sulfamethoxazole). ( 7.1 ) Interaction with Levodopa : Monitor patients for a change in neurologic status. ( 7.2 ) Drugs Affecting Nitric Oxide-Mediated Vasorelaxation : Potential for vasorelaxation; monitor blood pressure (e.g., PDE-5 inhibitors). ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on SEPHIENCE Avoid concomitant use of drugs known to inhibit folate synthesis dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) (e.g., trimethoprim, methotrexate, trimetrexate, pemetrexed, pralatrexate, raltitrexed, and piritrexim) while taking SEPHIENCE. Concomitant administration of such drugs may reduce sepiapterin metabolism to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4 ). If concomitant use is not avoidable, monitor blood Phe levels. Avoid concomitant use of sepiapterin reductase (SR) inhibitors with SEPHIENCE. Concomitant administration of such drugs may reduce sepiapterin metabolism to BH 4 . If concomitant use is not avoidable, monitor blood Phe levels. 7.2 Effects of SEPHIENCE on Other Drugs SEPHIENCE may increase the availability of tyrosine, a precursor of levodopa. Neurologic events were reported postmarketing in patients receiving another PAH activator and levodopa concomitantly for a non-PKU indication. Monitor patients for a change in neurologic status when levodopa is administered with SEPHIENCE [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . 7.3 Drugs Affecting Nitric Oxide-Mediated Vasorelaxation SEPHIENCE and PDE-5 inhibitors induce vasorelaxation, thus concomitant use of SEPHIENCE with PDE-5 inhibitors may reduce blood pressure even further. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension with concomitant use of SEPHIENCE with drugs that affect nitric oxide-mediated vasorelaxation (e.g., PDE-5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, vardenafil, or tadalafil).

Storing Sephience, and how long it keeps

Quoted from this product’s own FDA label. Storage belongs to the product and its device, not to the drug in general — a pen and a tablet of the same medicine are kept completely differently.

  • Discard unused SEPHIENCE mixture after 6 hours at controlled room temperature or after 24 hours if refrigerated.
  • Store SEPHIENCE at room temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursion permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
  • Store SEPHIENCE liquid or soft food mixture either refrigerated or at controlled room temperature [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

Dosage forms

Powder

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

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Frequently asked questions

What does Sephience treat?
Sephience (Sepiapterin) may be used to treat phenylketonurias, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
Is there a coupon or discount for Sephience?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Sephience. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Sephience?
Sephience is marketed by Ptc Therap. You can see Ptc Therap's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Sephience a brand-name or generic drug?
Sephience is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Sepiapterin.
Is Sephience available over the counter?
No. Sephience is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Sephience come in?
Sephience is currently marketed as powder, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
Is Sephience FDA-registered?
Sephience is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA219666. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Is Sephience safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Sephience. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Sephience?
Sephience's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Increased Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Hypophenylalaninemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] .… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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