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Sunday, June 23, 2019

Pirfenidone Can Prolong Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients’ Lives






Pirfenidone Can Prolong Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients’ Lives:-

Esbriet or Pirfenidone can prolong idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients’ life, according to a review of clinical trials. Researchers also said that Pirfenidone or Pirfenex tablets are safe but do not help every IPF patient.

Pulmonary fibrosis is the most common interstitial lung disease or a group of disorders that involve scarring of lung tissue. It can lead to a progressive decline in lung function and poor quality of life, and also early death.

The disease’s progression gets worse by comorbidities, or other disorders, which includes pulmonary hypertension and sleep-disordered breathing. Scientists believe it is triggered by damage to protective epithelial cells in the alveoli and the release of cytokines that trigger inflammation. Cytokines promote cell to cell communication in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells toward sites of inflammation, infection, and injury.

Earlier studies indicated that IPF fails to respond to immunotherapy. Recent trials have demonstrated that novel anti-fibrotic agents have improved lung function over time.

According to the review, Pirfenidone slows IPF patients’ decline in respiratory function and increases their progression-free survival. It also reduces mortality that other anti-fibrotic therapies such as Ofev are unable to do, researchers said.

Based on these findings, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pirfenextablets for treating IPF in 2014.

More recently, the ASCEND phase 3 clinical trial supported Pirfenidone’s effectiveness. The study involving 555 patients showed that Pirfenidone improved respiratory function, progression-free survival, and ability to exercise.

An analysis of 2 clinical trials indicated that factors like patient age, smoking status, and geographic origin had no impact on Pirfenidone’s effectiveness.

The trials have also shown that prolonged treatment that is beyond 6 months continued to reduce the risk of IPF patients’ respiratory decline and death. Pooled data from 5 clinical studies covering 1,299 patients supported a previous finding that Pirfenidone is well-tolerated.
Another finding was that a combination of Pirfenidone and amino acid N-acetylcysteine worsened IPF patients’ respiratory function, compared with Pirfenidone alone. The discovery came out of the recent PANORAMA phase 2 trials.

Although the results on Pirfenidone are encouraging, the researchers who did the review said doctors should approach its use with caution. That is because not all IPF patients have better respiratory function and live longer after taking Pirfenex tablets.

Individuals with more rapidly declining lung function prior to the beginning, Pirfenidone treatment is more likely to experience the benefit.




Side Effects:-


Side effects of Pirfenidone include gastrointestinal problems, weight loss, skin reactions, anorexia, and fatigue, according to the review. Patients taking it should avoid smoking and drugs that inhibit Pirfenidone’s metabolism in the liver, the researchers said.

Those taking Pirfenidone should be carefully monitored, particularly those with severe liver or kidney dysfunction.

The benefits of early treatment with Pirfenidone, compared with the risks, have yet to be investigated.

Note: Before initiating treatment, a thorough dialogue with the patient that includes an educational overview of its benefits, risks, and limitations are recommended.


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