What You Need to Know About Esbriet

Esbriet (pirfenidone), is an anti-fibrotic drug used in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It’s made by the pharmaceutical company, Genentech.

Find out more about Esbriet for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin found that the use of Esbriet could prolong the lives of patients with IPF by slowing down the progression of lung damage. The drug was approved by the FDA as a therapy for IPF in 2014.

It also found that Esbriet can decrease lung function decline in some patients. In clinical trials, the forced vital capacity tests (FVC) which measure lung function only deteriorated by less than 10 percent for 47.9 percent of participants according to lungdiseasenews.com, leading to fewer deaths from the disease.

According to Genentech, there are some side effects associated with Esbriet, the drug can make skin sensitive to the sun and ultraviolet rays from sunlamps and tanning beds, it can also cause mild reactions such as tiredness, headaches, respiratory infections, sinus infections, dizziness, and weight loss. More serious risks include liver involvement and stomach problems such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.

A study finds that Esbriet can prolong the lives of IPF patients.

MORE: Seven common questions about Esbriet.

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