PIRFENEX Tablet

PIRFENEX contain pirfenidone which belongs to a group of medicine called pyridones. It is used to treat mild to moderate Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in adults. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is a condition where the tissues in the lungs become swollen and scarred which leads to breathing difficulty. This medicine helps to reduce scarring and swelling in the lungs, and helps you breathe better.

PIRFENEX makes your skin sun sensitive. So, wear protective clothing or apply sunscreen while in direct contact with sun. The most common side effects are difficulty sleeping, headache, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite, infections of the throat, weight loss. This medicine is strictly not recommended for use in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, heart disease, liver problems. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.

USES OF PIRFENEX:

Treat mild to moderate Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

HOW PIRFENEX WORKS:

PIRFENEX works by reducing fibrosis (scarring) and swelling in the lungs. This makes breathing easier.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

Always take PIRFENEX exactly as your doctor has told you. This medicine must be taken with or without food. Try to take this medicine at the same time each day. It should be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

SIDE EFFECT OF PIRFENEX TALET:

SERIOUS

Swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue, itching, hives, difficulty breathing or wheezing, or feeling faint(angioedema)
Yellowing of the eyes or skin or dark urine, skin itching (signs of abnormal liver function)

COMMON

Skin reactions after going out in the sun or using sunlamps
Nausea
Tiredness
Diarrhoea
Indigestion or stomach upset
Loss of appetite
Headache
Infections of the throat or the airways going into the lungs and/or sinusitis
Bladder infections
Weight loss
Difficulty sleeping
Dizziness
Feeling sleepy
Changes in taste
Hot flushes
Shortness of breath
Cough
Increased levels of liver enzymes
Muscle pain, aching joints/joint pains
Chest pain

RARE

Decrease in white blood cells

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS:

Nausea:

Try taking this medicine with, or just after, a meal or snack and stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.

Diarrhoea:

Drink lot of fluids such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any other medicines without consult to a doctor.

Headache:

Apply hot or cold-water bag on your head. Take rest in a quiet and dark room. Drink tea or coffee.

Dizziness:

Get up and move around to feel awake, take small naps to edge off the sleepiness. Give your eyes a break to avoid fatigue and eat a healthy food to boost energy.

Cough:

Drink fluids which helps thin the mucus in your throat. Suck on cough drops or hard candies.

INTERACTIONS:

Talk to your doctor if you are taking,

Antibiotics such as enoxacin, rifampicin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin (used to treat infections)
Amiodarone, propafenone (used to treat heart disease)
Fluvoxamine (used to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder)
Omeprazole (used to treat conditions such as indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease)

SYNOPSIS:

Drug : Pirfenidone
Pharmacological Category :
Anti-inflammatory Agent, Antifibrotic Agent

Therapeutic Indication : Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Dosage Forms : Tablet

MORE INFORMATION:

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Pirfenex Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Information regarding the use of Tablet during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Driving

UNSAFE

Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney

CAUTION

 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Pirfenex Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Use of Tablet is not recommended with severe kidney disease and dialysis patients.

Liver

CAUTION

Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Pirfenex Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Use of Tablet is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.

FAQs ABOUT PIRFENEX:

Q: Is tablet a steroid?
A: No, it is not a steroid.

Q: What are the benefits of tablet?
A: This medicine is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in adults. In Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis the tissues of the lungs get scarred and swell with time, which creates problem in breathing. This medicine helps reduce these effects to make you breathe better.

Q: What should I avoid while taking tablet?
A: You should restrict sun exposure, while taking this medicine. Wear sunblock daily and cover your arms, legs, and head to reduce exposure to sunlight. Along with that, avoid smoking as it decreases the effect of this medicine.