Medications Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

If you have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, there are numerous ways you can feel better. For instance, taking medication for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis will help to reduce the strain of symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath. 

Here is some key information about the available medication for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 

Medications Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

The reason people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis struggle with their breathing is because of the scarring forming in their lungs. There are various medications that help prevent this from occurring. 

The first drug is called  (), and the second is pirfenidone (Esbriet). These two medications for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis work by blocking a process in an individual’s body that causes scarring in the lungs. The most common side effects of are liver problems, decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. And, the most common side effects of pirfenidone are nausea, weight loss, joint pain, and insomnia.

Aside from the obvious pirfenidone and , there are also many other medications for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Generally, doctors will prescribe medication that fights off the inflammation that causes lung scarring. An example of this type of medication is . Any sort of medication that slows down an individual’s immune system can also be added to this ‘medications idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis’ list. Drugs that slow down the immune system include Cytoxan, CellCept, and Imuran. 

Note that there are side effects to the medications that slow down your immune system as well. For Cytoxan, the most common side effects are stomach pain, temporary hair loss, and wounds that will not heal. Meanwhile, common side effects of CellCept are swelling in the hands or feet, anxiety, and insomnia. Imuran side effects include the following: infection, severe nausea, and pain or burning feeling when urinating. 

The Takeaway

If you are interested in any of these medications for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, speak with your doctor. He or she is in charge of deciding what medication best suits you, but it doesn’t hurt to go into the doctor’s office prepared. 

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