Ofev 100mg Capsules
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To ensure you get the most benefit from your medication, follow these steps:
Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
Read all the information provided with your medication and follow the instructions carefully.
Take your medication with food to help your body absorb it properly.
Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water or another drink. Do not chew, open, or crush the capsule.
If you accidentally touch a broken capsule or the medication inside, wash the affected area with soap and water immediately.
Continuing Your Treatment
Continue taking your medication as instructed by your doctor or healthcare provider, even if you start to feel better. It's essential to complete the full course of treatment to achieve the best results.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
To maintain the quality and safety of your medication:
Store it at room temperature in a dry place, away from direct heat.
Avoid storing your medication in a bathroom, as the humidity and temperature fluctuations can affect its potency.
Protect your medication from heat sources, such as radiators or heaters.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once or take extra doses to make up for the missed one. Return to your regular dosing schedule as soon as possible.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take Ofev exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually twice a day, about 12 hours apart.
- Always take Ofev with food to help reduce stomach upset and improve absorption.
- Swallow the capsules whole; do not chew, crush, or open them.
- If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Ofev, as it may increase the level of the medicine in your body.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's Wort, rifampin, or blood thinners.
- Use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose if you are a female of reproductive potential.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, this medication can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:
Allergic Reaction: Rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever, wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Bleeding: Vomiting or coughing up blood, vomit that resembles coffee grounds, blood in the urine, black, red, or tarry stools, bleeding from the gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, unexplained bruises or bruises that enlarge, or uncontrollable bleeding.
High Blood Pressure: Severe headache or dizziness, fainting, or changes in vision.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Blood in the urine, burning or pain while urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, fever, lower abdominal pain, or pelvic pain.
Kidney Problems: Inability to urinate, changes in urine output, blood in the urine, or sudden weight gain.
Stomach or Bowel Perforation: Stomach swelling or severe stomach pain, which can be life-threatening.
Liver Problems: Dark urine, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, stomach pain, pale stools, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, which can be life-threatening.
Severe Blood Clots: Heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, arm, back, neck, or jaw pain, or shortness of breath. Stroke symptoms, such as confusion, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, severe dizziness or headache, or changes in speech or vision.
Other Possible Side Effects
Most medications can cause side effects, but many people experience none or only mild effects. If you encounter any of the following side effects, consult your doctor or seek medical attention if they bother you or persist:
Headache
Stomach pain
Weight loss
Dizziness, fatigue, or weakness
Back pain
Nose or throat irritation
Common cold symptoms
Diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, or decreased appetite (common side effects that can be managed with your doctor's guidance)
If any of these side effects concern you, do not improve, or are severe, contact your doctor for advice.
Reporting Side Effects
For more information about side effects or to report any concerns, contact your doctor or the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You can also report side effects online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe or persistent diarrhea (more than 7 stools per day or requiring hospitalization)
- Signs of liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising, including nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in urine or stools (black, tarry stools or bright red blood).
- Severe stomach pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting (signs of gastrointestinal perforation).
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, vision changes (signs of blood clots or heart attack/stroke).
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you have liver disease, as this may affect how your body processes the medication.
If you are currently taking any of the following medications: carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, or St. John's wort, as these may interact with this drug.
If you are breastfeeding, as you should not breastfeed while taking this medication.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help you determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.
Bleeding Risks
You may experience easier bleeding, which can increase the risk of injury. To minimize this risk, be cautious and take steps to avoid injury. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and an electric razor for shaving. Although rare, some bleeding problems associated with this medication have been fatal.
Monitoring and Lab Tests
Regularly undergo blood work and other laboratory tests as directed by your doctor to monitor your condition.
Blood Pressure
This medication may cause high blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly, as advised by your doctor.
Fertility and Pregnancy
This medication may affect fertility, potentially impacting your ability to have children. Discuss this with your doctor.
If you are taking birth control pills and experience vomiting or diarrhea, the effectiveness of your birth control may be reduced. In such cases, use an additional form of birth control, such as condoms.
This medication can harm an unborn baby. A pregnancy test will be conducted before you start taking this medication to confirm that you are not pregnant.
If you may become pregnant, use birth control while taking this medication and for 3 months after your last dose. If you become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately.
Smoking
If you smoke, it is recommended that you quit smoking before starting this medication and avoid smoking during treatment. Smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication. Consult your doctor for guidance.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Increased liver enzyme levels
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)
- Bleeding
What to Do:
There is no specific antidote for nintedanib overdose. Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. Contact a poison control center immediately (e.g., 1-800-222-1222) or seek emergency medical attention.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Strong P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's Wort): May significantly decrease nintedanib exposure, reducing efficacy. Avoid co-administration.
- Strong P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, erythromycin, cyclosporine, ritonavir): May significantly increase nintedanib exposure, increasing risk of adverse reactions. Consider dose reduction to 100 mg BID if co-administration is necessary and adverse reactions occur.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline liver function and identify pre-existing hepatic impairment, as nintedanib can cause hepatotoxicity.
Timing: Prior to initiation of treatment.
Rationale: To establish baseline and monitor for hypertension, a potential adverse effect.
Timing: Prior to initiation of treatment.
Rationale: Nintedanib is contraindicated in pregnancy due to potential fetal harm.
Timing: For females of reproductive potential, prior to initiation of treatment.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Monthly for the first 3 months, then periodically (e.g., every 3 months) or as clinically indicated.
Target: Within normal limits or stable from baseline.
Action Threshold: Elevations >3x ULN (Upper Limit of Normal) or >5x ULN require dose reduction, interruption, or discontinuation. Elevations with concomitant bilirubin increase require discontinuation.
Frequency: Regularly, as clinically indicated.
Target: Within target range for patient.
Action Threshold: Manage hypertension according to standard medical practice; dose adjustment or interruption may be needed for severe hypertension.
Frequency: Continuously, patient self-monitoring.
Target: Not applicable.
Action Threshold: Manage with supportive care (e.g., anti-diarrheals); dose reduction or interruption may be needed for severe or persistent symptoms.
Frequency: Continuously, patient self-monitoring.
Target: Not applicable.
Action Threshold: Seek immediate medical attention for severe or unusual bleeding.
Symptom Monitoring
- Diarrhea (frequency, severity)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Signs of hypertension (e.g., severe headache, blurred vision)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Nintedanib is classified as Pregnancy Category D. Based on animal studies, it can cause fetal harm. It should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Females of reproductive potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
It is unknown whether nintedanib or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. However, animal studies have shown excretion of nintedanib and its metabolites into milk. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with nintedanib and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of nintedanib in pediatric patients have not been established. It is not indicated for use in this population.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly patients (âĨ65 years) and younger patients. No specific dose adjustment is required based on age alone. However, elderly patients may be more susceptible to adverse reactions, and monitoring for age-related decline in organ function is prudent.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Always take nintedanib with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects, especially diarrhea.
- Proactive management of diarrhea is crucial; advise patients to have anti-diarrheal medication (e.g., loperamide) readily available and to start it at the first sign of diarrhea.
- Regular monitoring of liver function tests is essential, particularly during the first 3 months of treatment, due to the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
- Educate patients on the signs and symptoms of liver injury, bleeding, and GI perforation, and instruct them to seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
- Nintedanib is a P-gp substrate; avoid co-administration with strong P-gp inducers (e.g., rifampin) and be cautious with strong P-gp inhibitors (dose reduction may be needed).
- Patients should be advised to use effective contraception due to the teratogenic potential of the drug.
Alternative Therapies
- Pirfenidone (Esbriet) for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
- For other chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases, treatment depends on the specific diagnosis and may include immunosuppressants (e.g., mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, rituximab) or other targeted therapies.