Pirfenox 200mg Tablets

Pirfenidone is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a condition where the lungs become scarred for no known reason. It works by blocking a natural substance in the body that drives this scarring (fibrosis).

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually three times a day.

• Take each dose with food, at about the same times each day.
• Your doctor will start with a low dose and increase it over about 2 weeks.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due. Never double up.
• If you miss 14 days or more, call your doctor, as you will need to restart at a low dose.
• Keep all blood test appointments.

Common side effects include:

• feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, heartburn or stomach pain
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• headache, dizziness, tiredness
• trouble sleeping, joint pain, sinus pain

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• yellow skin or eyes, dark pee, pain in the upper right tummy or unusual bleeding or bruising
• a rash, or red, swollen or blistered skin
• swelling of the face, lips, throat, hands or feet
• hoarseness or trouble breathing or swallowing

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have liver or kidney disease
• smoke (stop before starting, as smoking can make it work less well)
• take any other medicines, vitamins or herbal products
• are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding

Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), in the original tightly closed container and out of reach of children.

Sunlight: pirfenidone can make your skin very sensitive to sun. Avoid sunbeds, wear protective clothing and use a high-factor sunscreen (SPF 50 or more).

Liver: it can affect the liver, so you will need regular blood tests.

Smoking: avoid smoking during treatment.