Pirfenidone
Description
Pirfenidone is a medicine used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a chronic, progressive condition that causes thickening, stiffening, and scarring of tissue within the lungs). This medicine slows down the formation of scar tissue in the lungs.
Pirfenidone has some side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, heartburn, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms bother you for a long time or become severe. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Pirfenidone should be taken with food in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Take it every day at the same time for the ease of remembering and better results. Do not discontinue this medicine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition.
Pirfenidone may not be suitable for all people. It is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not available. Inform your doctor if you have any other health conditions or taking any other medications. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Pirfenidone
- Sunburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Skin rash
- Loss of appetite
- Drowsiness
Uses of Pirfenidone
What is it prescribed for?
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Pirfenidone to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Pirfenidone remains active in your body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Pirfenidone.
- Usage in pregnancy?Pirfenidone is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is unknown if Pirfenidone passes into the breastmilk. Hence it is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary.
Allergy
Avoid taking Pirfenidone if you are allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Severe Liver/Kidney Impairment
Pirfenidone is not recommended for use if you have severe liver/kidney impairment due to the risk of worsening your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Pirfenidone is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown if Pirfenidone passes into the breastmilk. Hence it is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary.
General warnings
Smoking
Avoid smoking during treatment with Pirfenidone as it may alter the desired effects of this medicine.
Use in children
Pirfenidone is not recommended for use in children less than 18 years of age.
Severe sunburn
Avoid direct exposure to sunlight as Pirfenidone makes your skin sensitive to sunlight and heat. Thus it may cause severe sunburn in some people. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when going out in the sun.
Angioedema
Pirfenidone should be used with caution as it may cause angioedema (a condition of swelling of the area beneath the skin). It is not recommended for use if you have a history of angioedema as it may worsen your condition.
Driving vehicles and operating machines
Pirfenidone may cause dizziness and drowsiness in some people. Avoid activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles and operating heavy machines if you experience any of these symptoms.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Pirfenidone as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the recommended dose of Pirfenidone. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Ciprofloxacin
Teriflunomide
Amiodarone
Rifampicin
Disease interactions
Liver impairment
Use Pirfenidone with extreme caution if you have mild to moderate liver problems, as it may further worsen your condition. Your doctor may suggest tests to closely monitor your liver function, if necessary, during treatment with this medicine.
Kidney impairment
Use Pirfenidone with extreme caution if you have mild to moderate kidney problems, as it may further worsen your condition. Your doctor may suggest tests to closely monitor your kidney function, if necessary, during treatment with this medicine.
Food interactions
Avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Pirfenidone as it may increase the absorption of this medicine in your body and lead to side effects.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Pirfenidone preferably with food to avoid the risk of side effects such as dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach.
Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed. Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects that persist or worsen.
Avoid consuming grapefruit juice along with this medicine as it may increase the risk of side effects.
Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after taking this medicine as it may cause dizziness and drowsiness.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when going out in the sun.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Pirfenidone works by blocking the action of certain substances that are involved in the scarring of tissue in the lungs. Thus it slows down the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Transforming Growth Factor Inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 December 2021].
CiplaMed. 2021. PIRFENEX Tablets. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Esbriet 267 mg Film-coated Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 December 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Pirfenidone: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 3 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Jan 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.