Nintedanib is a class of medication known as tyrosine-kinase inhibitors and anti-fibrotic agents. It basically affects your immune system and reduces the amount of fibrosis (scarring) in the lungs of a patient. Nintedanib is one of two medicines that are approved in order to treat Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) in adults.
Another name for this medicine is OFEV.
How to take this medicine:
Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider or pharmacist has instructed you. The recommended dose is one tablet of nintedanib 150 mg twice daily (a total of 300 mg per day). Take this drug twice daily at about 12 hours apart at about the same time every day. This ensures that a steady amount of nintedanib is maintained in the blood-stream. Do not take more than the recommended dose of two nintedanib 150 mg capsules per day.
If you do not tolerate the recommended dose of a couple of Ofev 150 mg, your healthcare may reduce the daily dose. Never try to reduce the dose or interrupt the treatment by yourself without discussing your healthcare provider first.
How does it work: The medication Nintedanib specifically reduces/resists the buildup of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the lung in order to interfere with the ability of cells to form scar tissue. This drug does not enhance the function of the lungs. Rather, the disease progresses quite slowly over time.
Is nintedanib appropriate for You?
Your doctor recommends this medicine for your treatment. But, some patients should not take nintedanib if:
they are allergic to nintedanib or any other medicines
they have an allergy to peanuts
they have an allergy to soy products
they have ever had serious liver disease or kidney disease. Patients who are on dialysis should avoid the use of nintedanib.
they are pregnant
Possible side effects of Nintedanib:
This drug may cause several side effects. Serious side effects are not common, but may occur if you are taking this medicine.
Inform your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms:
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal (stomach) pain
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Yellowish skin colour
Chest pain
High blood pressure
Note: This is not the complete list of Nintedanib side effects. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you experience any kind of new symptoms.
What should I know when taking this medicine?
Nintedanib may interact with several other drugs and health products. It means it might not precisely work with these products. Inform your healthcare provider:
About all the medicines, supplements and herbal products you are taking. Tell your pharmacist too.
If you are taking Biaxin, ketoconazole, rifampicin, phenytoin, St. John’s wart or carbamazepine. You should avoid taking these medicines while you are taking nintedanib.
If you have clotting problems or had bleeding. Tell your healthcare provider if there is a history of major bleeding in your family.
If you had, or going for a surgery. You should not initiate nintedanib within 4 weeks of the abdominal surgery.
If you are thinking about becoming pregnant. Use appropriate birth control in order to make sure you or your partner will not become pregnant while you are taking this medicine.
Avoid breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
If you take more nintedanib than you should: In case of overdose, contact your healthcare team immediately.
What if I miss a dose?
Take your next dose at about your usual schedule. Do not consume a couple of doses at the same time.
If you stop taking nintedanib:
Avoid stopping nintedanib without consulting your healthcare practitioner first. It is crucial to take this drug every day, as long as your healthcare practitioner prescribes it for you.
In case you have any further queries on the use of nintedanib, ask your healthcare team.
How can I reduce any side effects?
Take nintedanib(Cyendiv) proper dosage with food. Swallow the pills whole with water because chewing or crushing the pills may give you a stomach ache and diarrhea.
Nintedanib can be responsible for causing diarrhea (watery bowel movements). If you have diarrhea while on this medicine:
Drink much fluids in order to prevent dehydration
Use loperamide in order to control diarrhea. Take 1 loperamide pill after each watery bowel movement. You should not take loperamide once your bowel movements go back to normal. You can take loperamide up to 8 times a day.
If you are consuming the maximum dose of Immodium (8 pills a day), interrupt taking nintedanib, and talk to your healthcare provider.
How to store Nintedanib:
Place this drug out of the sight as well as reach of the children.
Never use this medication after the expiry date which is usually stated on the carton and the blister. Do not store Nintedanib (Ofev) above 25°C. Should be protected from the moisture.
NOTE: The piece of information provided about "All you need to know about Nintedanib" in this article is for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis of an experienced or qualified healthcare practitioner.