Rezdiffra (resmetirom) is a prescription drug used to help treat a specific kind of liver disease in certain situations. Rezdiffra comes as an oral tablet.
Rezdiffra is used to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in adults in certain situations. NASH is a type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Note: Rezdiffra received
To learn more about Rezdiffra’s uses, see the “What’s Rezdiffra used for?” section.
Rezdiffra basics
Rezdiffra is a brand-name medication. It contains the active ingredient resmetirom. A generic version of the drug isn’t currently available.
Rezdiffra is used to help treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in adults in certain situations. NASH is a type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
When fat builds up in your liver, you may develop NASH. This buildup may cause inflammation or damage to your liver. NASH can cause symptoms such as pain in the upper right side of your abdomen and extreme tiredness.
Specifically, Rezdiffra is used to treat NASH in adults who also have moderate to advanced liver fibrosis. This means that normal tissue in your liver is replaced by poorly functioning scar tissue. But Rezdiffra is not prescribed for people who have cirrhosis, which is scar tissue that causes irreversible liver damage.
Rezdiffra is also not prescribed for people who have decompensated cirrhosis. If you have this condition, you may experience jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes) or fluid buildup in your belly or legs.
Rezdiffra works to treat NASH by attaching to a specific protein called thyroid hormone receptor-beta. By attaching to this protein, the drug helps your liver store less fat. As a result, your liver becomes less inflamed or damaged. This drug is prescribed along with diet and exercise.
Like most drugs, Rezdiffra may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below contain some of the more common side effects this drug may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Rezdiffra. They can also suggest ways to help reduce or manage the side effects.
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects Rezdiffra can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the drug’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Rezdiffra that have been reported include:
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Rezdiffra can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Rezdiffra, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Rezdiffra that have been reported include:
- other liver problems, including increased levels of certain liver enzymes in your blood
- gallbladder problems, including gallstones
ALLERGIC REACTIONBased on studies, Rezdiffra can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Rezdiffra.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Rezdiffra, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes. They’ll recommend the dosage of Rezdiffra that’s right for you.
Form and strengths
Rezdiffra is available as an oral tablet in three strengths:
- 60 milligrams (mg)
- 80 mg
- 100 mg
Recommended dosages
For the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis, your dosage of Rezdiffra will be based on how much you weigh in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
If you weigh less than 100 kg (about 220 lb), your doctor will likely prescribe a Rezdiffra dosage of 80 mg once per day.
If you weigh 100 kg or more, your doctor will likely prescribe a Rezdiffra dosage of 100 mg once per day.
If you take certain other medications, your dosage of Rezdiffra may need to be reduced.
If you develop liver or gallbladder problems, your doctor may have you pause Rezdiffra or stop it altogether.
Questions about taking Rezdiffra
Below are some common questions about taking Rezdiffra.
- Can Rezdiffra be chewed, crushed, or split? The drugmaker hasn’t stated whether Rezdiffra tablets can be chewed, crushed, or split. If you have trouble swallowing pills, check out this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- Should I take Rezdiffra with food? Rezdiffra can be taken with or without food.
- Is there a best time of day to take Rezdiffra? Rezdiffra is taken once daily and can be taken at any time of day. But it’s best to take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps it work effectively.
- What if I miss a dose of Rezdiffra? If you miss a dose of Rezdiffra, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could increase your risk of side effects.
- Will I need to take Rezdiffra long term? Rezdiffra is typically a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
- How long does Rezdiffra take to work? Rezdiffra begins to work after you take your first dose. Your doctor will order tests throughout your treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Overdose
Do not take more Rezdiffra than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you take too much Rezdiffra
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Rezdiffra. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below is important information you should consider before starting Rezdiffra.
Interactions
Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions. Rezdiffra can interact with several other medications.
Before taking Rezdiffra, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Drug interactions
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Rezdiffra. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Rezdiffra. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
|---|---|
| immunosuppressants | cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) |
| certain heart medications | • clopidogrel (Plavix) • gemfibrozil (Lopid) |
| certain statins | • atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq) • pravastatin • rosuvastatin (Crestor) • simvastatin (Flolipid, Zocor) |
Rezdiffra and alcohol
Alcohol is not known to interact with Rezdiffra based on studies. But alcohol consumption may make your liver problems from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) worse.
Talk with your doctor to determine whether it’s safe for you to consume alcohol while you’re taking Rezdiffra.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Rezdiffra during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Rezdiffra.
If you’ve taken Rezdiffra while pregnant, the manufacturer, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, encourages you to report any negative side effects you’ve experienced. You can do this by calling 800-905-0324 or by visiting the company’s website.
Warnings
Rezdiffra can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Rezdiffra. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- liver problems other than NASH
- gallbladder problems, including gallstones
- previous allergic reaction to Rezdiffra
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when considering Rezdiffra. What you’ll pay for this medication may depend on several factors, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
A program called the Rezdiffra Copay Savings Program may be available. You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.