Let's learn about Tezacaftor; Ivacaftor tablets for cystic fibrosis

Do you or someone in your family have cystic fibrosis? If so, your doctor may have prescribed you a pill that combines two medications called Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor. You may get this under the brand name Symdeko. This is a bit of a special medication. So today, let's talk in a very simple and friendly way about what this medication actually does, how to use it exactly, what things to be careful about, and what side effects it can cause.

What really happens with this medicine?

Simply put, cystic fibrosis is a disease caused by a genetic defect that controls the balance of salt and water in our bodies. As a result, secretions, especially in the lungs and digestive system, such as mucus, become very thick and sticky. In fact, it's like glue. This thick mucus makes it difficult to breathe in the lungs, and can lead to frequent infections .

Think of it like the little doors in our body's cells, which are where salt and water go in and out of the cells. In cystic fibrosis, these doors don't work properly.

This is where these two drugs, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor, come in. What these drugs do is they go to those malfunctioning gates (proteins) and help them work properly . When the salt and water movement is restored in this way, the thick mucus gradually liquefies and is easily removed from the lungs. Then breathing becomes easier, and the symptoms are largely controlled.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine

Before you start taking this medicine, it is very important to tell your doctor about your complete health condition. Because there are some conditions that require special care when using this medicine. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular.

• If you have kidney disease .
• If you have any liver disease . This is very important, because this medicine is eliminated from the body through the liver .
• If you have allergies to Tezacaftor, Ivacaftor, or any other medicine, food, or dye .
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnantNames.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.

The medicine should be used in the right way.

To get the most out of this medicine, it is very important to take it correctly.

• Take with food: This pill should be taken with a fatty meal . For example, eggs, peanut butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, or a meal with a little coconut oil. This is the best way to absorb the medicine.
• Take it at the same time: Try to take your medicine at the same time every day as much as possible. Leave about 12 hours between the morning and evening doses.
• Swallow the tablet whole: Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water . Because these tablets are designed to dissolve slowly in the body, breaking them can change the way the medicine works.
• Grapefruit Juice: Another very important thing is to never take this medicine with grapefruit juice. It can seriously affect the effectiveness of the medicine. Also, stop eating grapefruit.
• Don't stop: Don't stop taking your medicine until your doctor tells you to. Keep taking it even if you feel better.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

Imagine you forgot to take your medicine at 8 am. If you remember around 12 noon, meaning it is more than 6 hours until your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it is less than 6 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.

Other medications that may interact with this medicine

This medicine may interact with some other medications. Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements).

This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about everything you use.

Things to be careful about when taking medication

Your doctor will monitor you regularly while you are taking this medicine.

• Regular check-ups: Your doctor will tell you to come to the clinic on scheduled days. Don't skip these. This is important to see if your symptoms are improving or not.
• Blood tests: Your doctor will likely order a few blood tests while you're taking this medication. They will check your liver enzymes, especially your liver enzymes. This is normal, so don't worry. It's to make sure the medication is working for you and is not affecting your liver.
• Eye exam: You may also be asked to have an eye exam before starting the medication and while taking it. If you notice any changes in your vision (such as blurred vision, seeing rings around lights) , tell your doctor right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. Not everyone gets them. But it's important to be aware of them.

If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please inform your doctor about them as well.

How to store medicine safely?

• Keep away from children: Always keep medicines out of the reach of children and pets, in a locked place.
• Proper temperature: Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
• Expired Medicines: Do not use medicines that have passed their expiration date. Dispose of them properly.
• Disposal: Do not flush unused medications down the toilet or directly into the trash. Ask your doctor about the correct way to dispose of them.