Are the Side Effects of Pirfenidone Serious?

The most common side effects of pirfenidone include upper respiratory tract infection, fatigue, headache, dizziness, decreased appetite, sinusitis, insomnia, and weight loss.

Are the Side Effects of Pirfenidone Serious?

Pirfenidone may cause serious side effects, including:

Liver Problems

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark or brown-colored urine (e.g., tea-colored), pain in the right upper abdomen, increased bleeding or bruising than usual, or unusual fatigue. Your doctor will also perform regular blood tests to monitor your liver function.

Photosensitivity and Rashes

When outdoors, apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50 or higher, and wear hats and clothing that cover your skin to prevent sunburn.

Severe Skin Reactions

Contact your doctor right away if you develop severe skin reactions, such as skin blisters, rashes, oral ulcers, urticaria, or any other serious skin symptoms.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Pirfenidone may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, heartburn, and abdominal pain.

If side effects persist, your doctor may adjust your dosage or discontinue pirfenidone treatment.

These are not all the possible side effects of pirfenidone.

Important Considerations for the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease, so one of the key goals of treatment is to slow its progression.

Following your doctor’s instructions to start and adhere to pirfenidone treatment is an important way to help slow disease progression and thereby preserve your existing lung function as much as possible.

Studies have shown that pirfenidone helps maintain lung function. Therefore, you may not "feel" any difference after starting treatment, as it is not used to relieve the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and cannot reverse existing lung scarring.

The rate of disease progression varies among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Lung function may continue to decline whether or not you take pirfenidone. Remember, the goal of treatment is to slow this decline. Your doctor will perform long-term lung function tests to monitor the impact of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on your lungs.

Recommended Administration of Pirfenidone

The recommended full daily dosage of pirfenidone is 3 tablets (267 mg yellow tablets) per dose, three times a day, taken with meals.

In addition, an alternative dosage regimen with fewer tablets per day is available.

The daily dosage should be taken with meals at fixed times: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

If you miss a dose, take it with a meal as soon as you remember.

Do not take two doses at one time to make up for a missed dose.

The daily dosage should not exceed three times a day.

In case of an overdose, contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Taking pirfenidone with meals or immediately after a meal may help reduce certain side effects.

If you experience side effects, consult your healthcare provider. They may need to lower your dosage or advise you to temporarily pause treatment to help alleviate the side effects.

You should always take pirfenidone with meals. Doing so may help reduce certain side effects, including dizziness or nausea. Taking it with food slows the absorption rate of pirfenidone and reduces its plasma concentration.