pirfenidone at a glance
Medicine class
Antifibrotic with anti-inflammatory activity
Licensed use
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in adults
Administration
Take with food and swallow the tablet whole with water
Important precautions
Regular liver tests and careful protection from sunlight are required
What is pirfenidone used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in adults.
How does pirfenidone work?
Its precise mechanism is not fully established. Pirfenidone reduces processes involved in inflammation, fibroblast activity and production of scar-forming tissue, helping to slow further fibrosis in the lungs.
pirfenidone preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 267 mg, 534 mg, 801 mg
How to take pirfenidone
Follow the specialist team's instructions.
Take with food to reduce nausea and dizziness.
Swallow film-coated tablets whole with water; do not crush or chew them.
Minimise direct sunlight and sunlamp exposure. Use high-protection sunscreen and protective clothing.
Ask the specialist team before stopping or restarting treatment.
pirfenidone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, indigestion, reflux, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Rash, itching, dry skin or increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Tiredness, headache or dizziness
- Joint or muscle pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of liver injury, including jaundice, dark urine, loss of appetite or upper-right abdominal discomfort
- Facial, lip or tongue swelling, wheezing or breathing difficulty
- A severe or widespread rash with blistering, peeling, fever or swollen glands
pirfenidone in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable, and UK product information advises avoiding pirfenidone during pregnancy as a precaution. Anyone pregnant, planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant should promptly discuss treatment with their respiratory specialist and maternity team.
pirfenidone while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether pirfenidone enters human milk, and a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. A specialist should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding and maternal treatment before deciding whether breastfeeding or pirfenidone should be stopped.
pirfenidone interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products with the specialist team or pharmacist. Important interactions include:
Fluvoxamine
Strongly increases pirfenidone exposure and must not be used with it.
Ciprofloxacin and other CYP1A2 inhibitors
May increase pirfenidone exposure and adverse effects, requiring specialist review and closer monitoring.
Amiodarone or propafenone
May inhibit pirfenidone metabolism; use requires caution and monitoring for toxicity.
Common questions about pirfenidone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does pirfenidone cure idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
No. It can slow further decline in lung function but does not cure IPF or reverse established scarring.
Why should pirfenidone be taken with food?
Food slows absorption and reduces the likelihood of nausea and dizziness.
Can pirfenidone make skin sensitive to sunlight?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.