If you or a loved one has Cystic Fibrosis (CF), you probably know all too well the challenges of living with it. But the good news is that with the advancement of medical science, there are now new medications that can help you cope with this condition. Today, we’re going to talk about one such drug. It’s called Ivacaftor. You may know it by the brand name Kalydeco. Let’s take a quick look at this drug.
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What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, Ivacaftor is a drug used to treat Cystic Fibrosis (CF) . However, it is not suitable for all CF patients. This drug only works in people with specific mutations in the genes that cause CF. Your doctor will perform the necessary tests to determine if this drug is suitable for you.
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that impairs the function of a protein in our body. This causes thick, sticky secretions to accumulate in organs such as the lungs and pancreas, causing various complications. The drug Ivacaftor works by restoring the function of the impaired protein to some extent, thinning the secretions and allowing them to be easily removed from the body.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before using this medicine, it is very important to give your doctor a clear picture of your overall health. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular:
- Liver disease: It is important to tell your doctor if you have any liver disease. This is because this medication is metabolized primarily by the liver. If you have liver problems, your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
- Kidney disease: Similarly, if you have kidney problems, tell us about that as well.
- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to Ivacaftor or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy or planning to have a baby: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, tell your doctor.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: Be sure to mention this if you are breastfeeding.
It is for your own safety to tell the doctor without hiding this information. So don't forget to tell him even if it's a small thing.
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Check Availability →How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
How to take the medicine
This medicineIt should definitely be taken with a meal containing fat. For example, if you take this pill with something like an egg, cheese toast, a slice of bread with peanut butter, or an omelet made with butter, the medicine will be absorbed better by the body. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
Most importantly: Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice for any reason. Seville oranges are also not good. These can affect the effectiveness of the medication.
Take only the prescribed dose, when prescribed by your doctor. Avoid taking more. Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice.
If you give it to children
This medicine is sometimes prescribed for children over the age of 6. However, talk to your pediatrician about it carefully and follow his or her instructions.
If the dosage of the medicine is increased (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
If you miss a dose of medication
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 6 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other medications that may interact with Ivacaftor
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal products. Some medications may interact with Ivacaftor. See this table.
| Type of medicine/substance | Level of concern |
|---|---|
| Some medications used for seizures (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin) | Reduces the effectiveness of Ivacaftor. |
| Grapefruit juice and Seville oranges | Unnecessarily increases the concentration of the drug. |
| Rifampin, Rifabutin (medicines for tuberculosis) | Greatly reduces the effectiveness of Ivacaftor. |
| St. John's Wort (herbal product) | Reduces the effectiveness of Ivacaftor. |
| Antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole) | Ivacaftor concentrations may be increased. |
| Some antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin) | Ivacaftor concentrations may be increased. |
| Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, Digoxin | Ivacaftor may affect the effectiveness of these medications. |
This list is not complete, so it's best to tell your doctor about everything you take.
Possible side effects of taking the medicine
Like any medicine, Ivacaftor can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, while others are mild.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergy symptoms | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Effects on the liver | Dark urine, light-colored stools, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, loss of appetite. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision or any other changes. |
| Other | Feeling very tired, feeling like you have a fever. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Digestive system | Indigestion, nausea, diarrhea. |
| Other | Headache , dizziness , joint pain. |
While taking this medicine, your doctor may need to check your eyesight and the levels of liver enzymes in your blood regularly. This is normal.
How to keep medicine safe?
- Keep away from children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius).
- Discard expired medication without using it.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Ivacaftor is a special medicine given to treat certain types of cystic fibrosis.
- This medicine should always be taken with a meal containing fat.Take it. Never take it with grape juice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take and all your other illnesses.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, or skin rashes, tell your doctor immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to anyone else. If you have any questions, always talk to your doctor.
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