Pirfenidone

No, Pirfenidone is not a steroid. It belongs to pyridines group of medicines. It is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in adults. In IPF, 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.

Most common side effects of Pirfenidone include skin sensitivity to sunlight, nausea, tiredness, diarrhea, indigestion or upset stomach, loss of appetite, and headache. Other common side effects include infections of the throat or the airways, bladder infections, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, sleepiness, changes in taste, hot flushes, shortness of breath, and cough. Additionally, one may experience stomach problems such as acid reflux, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain and discomfort, heart burn, constipation, skin problems such as itchy skin, skin redness or red skin, dry skin, skin rash, muscle pain, aching joints/joint pains, weakness, chest pain, and sunburn. It is possible that after using Pirfenidone blood tests may show increased levels of liver enzymes.

Your doctor will check your liver function before starting treatment with Pirfenidone. This test will be repeated monthly for the first 6 months and then it will be done after every three months. In addition to that, your doctor will also monitor your lung function periodically in order to see the response to Pirfenidone.

It is important to control the progression of the disease by preserving your lung function which cannot be restored, once lost. Hence, it is highly recommended to start and continue the treatment with Pirfenidone as prescribed by your doctor. Doing so can help preserve the existing lung function.

Only you and your doctor can decide if Pirfenidone is right for you. The doctor will only prescribe Pirfenidone after assessing your condition. Based on your response to treatment and tolerability, you should continue the medicine.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease though its progression is unpredictable. Do not stop the medication without consulting the doctor. Continue taking Pirfenidone to slow down the progression of the disease.

You should restrict sun exposure, while taking Pirfenidone. 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 Pirfenidone.

The median survival of patients with pulmonary fibrosis is 2-3 years, yet some people live much longer. The factors which can be held responsible for shortened survival are older age, smoking history, and lower body mass index. The other factors can be more severe extent of disease both radiologically and physical impairment, and the development of other lung complications or conditions.