Drug updated on 4/16/2024
| Dosage Form | Capsule (oral: 267 mg); Tablet (oral: 267 mg, 801 mg) |
| Drug Class | Pyridones |
| Ongoing and Completed Studies | ClinicalTrials.gov |
Indication
- Indicated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Summary
- Pirfenidone (Esbriet) is indicated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), demonstrating a lower incidence of serious adverse events compared to placebo and other treatments such as warfarin, which showed higher all-cause mortality.
- Studies focused on antifibrotic medications like pirfenidone and nintedanib.
- Adverse reactions are significant with combination therapy involving pirfenidone; these include gastrointestinal issues leading to treatment discontinuation in some cases. Additionally, photosensitivity was noted, requiring careful patient selection.
- In comparison with other drugs used for IPF treatment, pirfenidone consistently showed statistically significant improvement in preserving forced vital capacity (FVC), indicating a slower decline in lung function among patients suffering from IPF or non-IPF fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs).
- Studies suggest that antifibrotic treatments including pirfenidone can decrease risk factors such as all-cause mortality and acute exacerbations, improving overall outcomes.
- For patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis, the use of pirfenidone resulted in significantly decreased disease progression while protecting lung function, emphasizing its efficacy.
- The effectiveness extends beyond just IPFs; a study highlighted the benefit for patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD from the reduction in disease progression offered by antifibrotics like pirfenidone.
- A cost-effectiveness analysis suggested that N-acetylcysteine combined with Pirfenidone might be the most cost-effective option, considering quality-adjusted life years, despite the need for more clinical trials to solidify its application.
Product Monograph / Prescribing Information
| Document Title | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Esbriet (pirfenidone) prescribing information. | 2023 | Genentech USA, Inc., South San Francisco, CA |
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
Clinical Practice Guidelines
| Document Title | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (an update) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis in adults. | 2022 | American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine |