This handbook is intended for healthcare professionals only. It is intended to provide useful product and clinical usage information on Vitaflo’s range of Single Dose Amino Acids (SDAAs) in the form of individual fact files. Where available, this handbook directs the reader to further information in the relevant clinical guidelines.
The handbook is not intended for use by parents, caregivers or patients themselves. It is for general information only and must not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
Our SDAA Range
Arginine500 Arginine2000 Arginine5000 |
Arginine 500 PBS LISTED ONLY | Arginine 2000 PBS & PHARMAC LISTED | Arginine 5000 PBS LISTED ONLY |
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Glycine500 | Glycine 500 PBS LISTED ONLY | |||
Isoleucine50 Isoleucine1000 |
Isoleucine 50 PBS & PHARMAC LISTED | Isoleucine 1000 PBS LISTED ONLY |
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Leucine100 | Leucine 100 PHARMAC LISTED ONLY | |||
Phenylalanine50 | Phenylalanine 50 PBS & PHARMAC LISTED | |||
Tyrosine1000 | Tyrosine 1000 PBS & PHARMAC LISTED | |||
Valine50 Valine1000 |
Valine 50 PBS & PHARMAC LISTED | VALINE 1000 PBS LISTED ONLY |
Background
Dietary supplementation with individual amino acids is used in a wide range of disorders, particularly disorders of protein metabolism where restrictive therapeutic diets limit natural protein intake and potentially increase the risk of an essential amino acid deficiency.
In these disorder types, the quantities of amino acids supplemented are often small and impractical to weigh out accurately on domestic weighing scales. When this is the case, hospital or local pharmacies may be required to prepare ‘doses’ for patients, a practice which is inconvenient, time-consuming and, even in experienced hands, potentially prone to error.
Vitaflo's Single Dose Amino Acid (SDAA) range
In 2007 Vitaflo launched its SDAA range. Covering a wide range of amino acids, we spoke to global experts and asked them what quantities they typically used with their patients. We then pre-measured those quantities and placed them in sachets, on a carbohydrate base.
For many patients, families and caregivers, this eliminates the need to weigh out amino acids and thus brings convenience, reassurance and a reduced need to collect products from their pharmacy, all of which may support adherence. Additionally, the use of pre-measured sachets has been shown to decrease preparation error, compared to using scoops or weighing scales1, which may, in the context of SDAAs, help reduce the risk of potentially serious dosage errors.
Controlled Trial of Three Preparation Methods. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2010; 95(10):776-80. DOI: 10.1136/adc.2010.161711.
Naming System and Colour Coding
Naming System
Distinct colour coding for safety
Each SDAA has a distinct colour, to help ensure patients consume the right product.
SDAAs which could be harmful if consumed for specific disorders are also given distinctively different packaging colours to those likely to be used in those specific disorders.
For example: Leucine, which must be avoided in Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), is branded white, whereas Isoleucine, which is regularly supplemented in MSUD, is branded black.
For example: Citrulline, Cystine and Creatine are orange, grey and blue respectively..
Safety Notice
Extra measures have been put in place to ensure patients use the correct SDAA and dose every time.
A safety message, reminding patients to check the product name and dose before consuming, can be found on the inside of the lid.
Mixing Instructions
Each amino acid fact file provides bespoke instructions for preparing the relevant amino acid with water. Where we provide more than one dose of an amino acid (e.g. Arginine500, Arginine2000 and Arginine5000), different mixing instructions are required for the different doses in some cases.
A safety message, reminding patients to check the product name and dose before consuming, can be found on the inside of the lid.
Important Notice
SDAAs are Foods for Special Medical Purposes and must only be given to patients with proven inborn errors of metabolism under strict medical supervision.
Arginine5000, Creatine5000, Cystine500 and Tyrosine1000 are suitable from 3 years of age onwards.
All other SDAAs are suitable from birth. Children under 12 months, when made into solution or added to infant formula, use immediately and discard any remaining product within 1 hour.
SDAAs are not for use as a sole source of nutrition.
SDAAs are for enteral use only.