Capsules of Esbriet should be taken with food (to reduce the feeling of nausea and dizziness), swallowing whole and with water (see the sections "Side effect" and "Pharmacological properties").
Standard dosing regimen
Adults
At the beginning of therapy, the dose of the drug should be gradually increased to the recommended daily dose of 9 capsules per day for 14 days as follows:
- Days 1-7: one capsule 3 times a day (801 mg / day)
- Days 8-14: two capsules 3 times a day (1602 mg / day)
- Day 15 and further: three capsules 3 times a day (2403 mg / day)
The recommended daily dose of Esbriet for patients with ILF is three capsules of 267 mg three times daily with food, totaling 2403 mg / day.
It is not recommended to apply the drug at a dose of more than 2403 mg / day.
Patients who missed 14 or more days of Esbriet therapy should be re-started with initial 2-week titration to the recommended daily dose.
If interrupted for less than 14 consecutive days, therapy can be resumed at the previous recommended daily dose.
Correction of dose
Disorders from the gastrointestinal tract
Patients with intolerance of therapy due to adverse events from the gastrointestinal tract need to be reminded of the need to take the drug with food.
If these symptoms persist, the dose of Esbriet can be reduced to 1-2 capsules (267 mg - 534 mg) 2-3 times a day with food with a second increase to the recommended daily dose, depending on the tolerability.
If these symptoms persist, it is recommended that the treatment be discontinued for 1-2 weeks before the symptoms resolve.
Photosensitivity reactions or rash
Patients with mild or moderate photosensitivity reactions or with a rash should be reminded of the need to use sunscreen products and avoid exposure to sunlight (see section "Special instructions"). The dose of Esbriet can be reduced to 3 capsules / day (1 capsule 3 times a day). If the rash persists for more than 7 days, Esbriet therapy should be discontinued for 15 days with a second dose increase up to the recommended daily dose, guided by the above recommendations.
Patients with severe photosensitivity reactions or rash should stop taking the drug and seek medical help (see section "Special instructions").After resolving the rash, Esbriet can be used again with a second dose increase up to the recommended daily dose as decided by the doctor.
Disorders from the side of the liver
In the case of a significant increase in the activity of alanine aminotransferase and / or aspartate aminotransferase (ALT / AST) with an increase in the concentration of bilirubin or without it, the dose of Esbriet should be adjusted or discontinued.
Recommendations in case of increased ALT activity, ACT and serum bilirubin concentrations.
When the activity of aminotransferases increases from> 3 to ≤5xVGN (upper limit of the norm) after the beginning of therapy with Esbriet, it is necessary to cancel the concomitant medications that could cause the development of this disorder, exclude other causes and carefully observe the patient. In case of clinical necessity, the dose of Esbriet should be reduced or interrupted. Once the "hepatic" tests are normalized, the dose of Esbriet can be re-raised to the recommended daily dose with tolerability.
When the activity of aminotransferases increases to ≤5xVGN (upper limit of the norm) in combination with clinical symptoms or hyperbilirubinemia,and also when the activity of aminotransferases> 5xVGN is increased, Esbriet therapy should be abolished and not restarted again.
Dosing in special cases
Patients of elderly and senile age
Patients aged 65 years and older are not required to adjust the dose (see section "Pharmacological properties").
Impaired liver function
Patients with mild and moderate impairment of liver function (ie, class A and B on the Child-Pugh scale) do not need dose adjustment. However, since in some patients with mild or moderate impairment of liver function, the concentration of pyrfenidone in the plasma may increase, caution should be exercised when treating Esbriet in this population. Patients should be carefully monitored for signs of toxicity, especially when combined intake of inhibitors of isoenzyme CYP1A2 (see the sections "Interaction with other drugs" and "Pharmacological properties").
The use of Esbriet in patients with severe impairment of liver function or terminal liver failure has not been studied, and the drug should not be used in such conditions (see section "Special instructions" and "Pharmacological properties").
During treatment it is necessary to monitor liver function, if the activity of "liver" enzymes is increased, a dose adjustment may be required (see section "Special instructions" and subsection "Pharmacokinetics in special patient groups").
Impaired renal function
Patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency do not need dose adjustment. Esbriet therapy should not be given to patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL / min) or terminal stage of kidney disease requiring dialysis (see subsection "Pharmacokinetics in special patient groups").