As recently as 2001, women with a genetic variant (mutation) that causes Fabry were considered by medical professionals to be “asymptomatic” carriers of the disease, meaning they could pass on Fabry without actually having any signs or symptoms.
Despite past misconceptions about women with Fabry, we now know that most women who have a variant in the GLA gene do experience the effects of Fabry, often as severely as men who have a variant. Thousands of women around the world have Fabry disease. International Fabry Women’s Day, as recognized by the National Fabry Disease Foundation (NFDF), is the first Saturday in April.
Because the misconception that women with Fabry are only carriers of the disease has been so prevalent in the medical community, some healthcare professionals may still believe it to be true. But there are resources, including this website, that can help you take charge of your care.
A roundtable discussion on navigating life as women with Fabry disease.
Skip to topics: Gender stereotypes | Self-advocacy | Family life | Treatment options
Some people may say that women don’t feel the effects of Fabry, but that’s not true.
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Before taking Galafold® (migalastat), tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines or supplements containing caffeine as these medicines or supplements may affect how Galafold works.
How should I take Galafold?
Do not eat food, or take or drink any product that contains caffeine at least 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking Galafold to give a minimum 4 hour fast.
What are the possible side effects of Galafold?
The most common side effects of Galafold include headache, stuffy or runny nose and sore throat, urinary tract infection, nausea, and fever.
These are not all the possible side effects of Galafold. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Amicus Therapeutics at 1-877-4AMICUS.
What is Galafold?
Galafold is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Fabry disease who have a certain genetic change (variant) in the galactosidase alpha gene (GLA) that is responsive (amenable) to Galafold.
It is not known if Galafold is safe and effective in children.
Please click here for Full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use.
Prescribing Information