Frequently Asked Questions

How does RELiZORB connect to my feeding tube?

RELiZORB is easy to use. It quickly connects in-line directly to your feeding tube. RELiZORB attaches after the tube feeding pump connector and before connection to the port. Learn more about how to use RELiZORB here.

 

Learn more in the RELiZORB Patient Guide.
 

What is RELiZORB?

RELiZORB is a digestive enzyme cartridge that contains the enzyme lipase. RELiZORB is used with enteral tube feeding to help break down the fats in enteral formula. Lipase is an enyzme that is normally made in the body to break down (digest) fats (triglycerides) into an absorbable form (fatty acids and monoglycerides). The lipase enzyme used in RELiZORB is attached to the white beads (iLipase), which are visible through the side of the cartridge.

 

What does RELiZORB do?

Properly breaking down (digesting) and absorbing fats is important for normal growth and development. RELiZORB contains a digestive enzyme called lipase that breaks down fats in enteral tube feeding formula into an absorbable form as the formula passes through the RELiZORB cartridge.

 

How will RELiZORB help with my enteral tube feedings?

You (or the patient you care for) may have trouble digesting the fats in your enteral formula. In clinical studies^1,2, RELiZORB was shown to increase the amount of fat that the body absorbs from enteral tube feeding formulas, particularly omega-3 fats.

 

Why doesn’t my formula contain absorbable fats?

Fats that are broken down into their absorbable form are not stable and spoil quickly. Therefore, enteral tube feeding formulas are made with fat in triglyceride form, which does not spoil as quickly but also is not absorbable by the body. RELiZORB breaks down the fats into absorbable forms (fatty acids and monoglycerides) during enteral tube feeding.

 

What pumps can be used with RELiZORB?

RELiZORB must be used with enteral tube feeding pumps that have low flow/no flow alarms. RELiZORB has not been tested for use with gravity feed systems (systems that have no pumps). A detailed listing of pumps, enteral feeding pump tubing sets and patient extension sets tested with RELiZORB can be found here.

 

What formulas may be used with RELiZORB?

RELiZORB was tested in a laboratory with different enteral tube feeding formulas¹. These tests were done with 500 mL of formula with an enteral tube feeding pump set at a high flow rate of 120 mL/hour. The same or better fat breakdown was shown when RELiZORB was used with volumes lower than 500 mL and flow rates as low as 24 mL/hour. A detailed listing of formulas tested with RELiZORB can be found here.

 

How much formula can each RELiZORB be used for?

Each RELiZORB cartridge may be used for up to 500 mL of enteral formula. If you use less than 500 mL of formula in a feeding, you must throw away the RELiZORB after use. For enteral formula volumes greater than 500 mL and up to 1000 mL you can connect two RELiZORBs together in a tandem configuration. Learn more about tandem RELiZORB here.

 

Can I add medicines to my feeding when I’m using RELiZORB?

If you need to add medications to the tube feeding line, they must be added to the line after RELiZORB. Medicines or saline flushes may be added to the side port of a Y-Connector extension set located between RELiZORB and the patient.

DO NOT place medicines in the enteral tube feeding bag or anywhere else before the RELiZORB cartridge. Passing medicines through RELiZORB may change how the medicine works or how RELiZORB breaks down fats. If you accidentally add medicines or flush solutions before RELiZORB, then the RELiZORB and all tubing and formula must be thrown away. You may restart feeding using a new RELiZORB and feeding set.

 

Can RELiZORB be used more than once?

No. Do not reuse RELiZORB. Each RELiZORB cartridge should only be used once. At the end of the feeding, throw away the RELiZORB cartridge. RELiZORB may not break down fats properly if it is reused.

 

How many RELiZORB cartridges can I use in a day?

Do not use more than two (2) RELiZORB cartridges in a day (24-hour period). You can use two RELiZORB cartridges in a tandem configuration, one right after the other, or space out the timing of their use.

 

Learn more in the RELiZORB Patient Guide.
 

Is RELiZORB covered by my health insurance?

Your RELiZORB Support Services Program Coordinator will work with your insurance provider to help determine whether RELiZORB is covered by your health insurance.

 

What if my insurance provider does not cover RELiZORB?

If your insurance provider does not cover RELiZORB, you Program Coordinator at RELiZORB Support Services will help work with your doctor and insurance provider to discuss your case to determine if you may still be eligible to be covered for RELiZORB. Your healthcare provider may also be able to help by providing supporting clinical documentation and/or a letter of medical necessity. If your insurance provider denies coverage, your program coordinator can help manage the appeals process. Or, you can review the financial assistance program offered by Alcresta Therapeutics.

 

How will I get RELiZORB?

Once your doctor prescribes RELiZORB, and  the Patient Enrollment Form is completed, you will be contacted by a RELiZORB Support Services Program Coordinator to get all the information necessary to get you started on RELiZORB and to make sure you receive shipments as expected. If you have any questions, call RELiZORB Support Services at 1-844-632-9271.

 

How do I refill my RELiZORB prescription?

To refill your RELiZORB prescription, please call your RELiZORB Support Services Program Coordinator at 1-844-632-9271 and they will provide you with the contact information for a pharmacy that can dispense your product. You can also contact the specialty pharmacy directly if you remember which specialty pharmacy filled your first prescription.

 

What if I can’t afford the co-pay for RELiZORB?

For eligible patients with commercial health insurance, the RELiZORB Out-of-Pocket Assistance Program assists with out-of-pocket expenses, which can include co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles.

Enrollment in the program is subject to confirmation of eligibility. RELiZORB Support Services will review your commercial health insurance benefits, and if you are eligible, you will be enrolled in the program.

 

How do I reach my RELiZORB Support Services Program Coordinator?

Call RELiZORB Support Services at 1-844-632-9271.

 

How will I get my RELiZORB if I’m going away for an extended time?

RELiZORB Support Services will work with you to have RELiZORB shipped to the location you need. Call 1-844-632-9271.

 

What if I have questions about RELiZORB?

RELiZORB Support Services can help with information and resources that can help address questions you may have. Call 1-844-632-9271.

 

Does RELiZORB have an HCPCS billing code?

Effective January 1, 2019, RELiZORB has a permanent, separately billable Medicare billing code (B4105). In addition, RELiZORB was assigned the PE04 (Enteral Equipment and/or Supplies) Product and Service Code, which may be relevant for certain patients under the July 11, 1984, Medicare National Coverage Determination for Enteral and Parenteral Nutritional Therapy (180.2).

 

Learn more on the RELiZORB Support Services page.