Glycerol Phenylbutyrate
Ravicti is a prescription brand-name medication used as adjunctive therapy for the chronic management of urea cycle disorders (UCDs) in patients who cannot be managed by dietary protein restriction and/or amino acid supplementation alone. It helps remove excess nitrogen from the body through a secondary excretion pathway. Ravicti is typically used when standard treatments have not fully controlled ammonia levels.
Ravicti is a nitrogen-binding medication used to manage urea cycle disorders by providing an alternative way to eliminate excess nitrogen from the body.
Key facts at a glance
- RxNorm
- 1368454
- Generic
- Ravicti
- Class
- brand-name
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- —
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Ravicti is indicated for the chronic management of urea cycle disorders (UCDs), including carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, and citrullinemia, among others. It is used when dietary protein restriction and amino acid supplementation alone are insufficient to control hyperammonemia.
Ravicti contains glycerol phenylbutyrate, a nitrogen-binding agent that works as a prodrug. After oral administration, pancreatic lipases cleave glycerol phenylbutyrate to produce phenylbutyrate, which is further metabolized to phenylacetylglutamine. Both compounds contain nitrogen that is excreted in the urine, providing an alternative pathway for nitrogen disposal independent of the defective urea cycle.
Ravicti must be taken with food and should not be substituted for protein intake restriction. It may cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients should avoid high-fat meals as they may increase absorption variability. Regular monitoring of ammonia levels and nutritional status is required. This medication is typically initiated by specialists in metabolic disorders.
Official drug label
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This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 9, 2026. · Read our editorial policy