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Prescribing Information

BECOME AN ACTIVE PARTNER IN YOUR TREATMENT

Getting the most out of your doctor’s appointments

Once you have started taking Esbriet® (pirfenidone), it's important to continue having a good relationship with your doctor and healthcare team. Having clear communication helps you better understand idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and helps your healthcare team better support you.

Talk to your doctor about:

  • How you are feeling, emotionally and physically
  • Side effects you may be experiencing
  • The medications you are currently taking
  • Any questions you may have

Tracking Your Journey Journal

Keeping daily records of your health can help your doctor see how you’re doing on your IPF treatment goals.

Prepare for your next doctor visit with this helpful journal
Tracking your Journey journal
  • Use the weekly tracker to help you get into the habit of taking Esbriet 3 times each day with meals
  • The medical notes section of the journal lets you jot down your thoughts, notes, and questions for your doctor as you think of them
  • The journal also helps you record the good things happening to you—use the “what inspires you” section to stay motivated
  • By arriving at your appointments with your journal filled out, you’ll feel more prepared to partner with your doctor and ready to get the most out of your appointment

 

Patient Ambassador Jim

When I have questions about side effects, I call my doctor’s office. From the beginning, I got on a first-name basis with the nurse practitioner, and she helped me an awful lot. Communication with your healthcare team is very important, so never hesitate to contact them. I always let them know when I need help dealing with a problem.”

Jim
Esbriet Ambassador

 

Esbriet Inspiration Program

VIDEOS FROM ESBRIET AMBASSADORS

Hear people with IPF and their families talk about their experiences with Esbriet.

Watch Videos

About Esbriet

Esbriet® (pirfenidone) is a prescription medicine used to treat people with a lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

It is not known if Esbriet is safe and effective in children.

Before you take Esbriet, tell your doctor if you:
  • have other medical conditions (particularly liver or kidney problems).
  • are a smoker.
  • are or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed (Esbriet has not been studied in these patients).
  • are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
What are the possible side effects of Esbriet?

Esbriet may cause serious side effects, including:

  • liver problems. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark or brown urine, pain on the upper right side of your stomach area, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, or increased fatigue. Your doctor will also do regular blood tests to check your liver.
  • sun sensitivity and rash. When you are outside, use sunscreen (SPF 50) and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin to avoid getting a sunburn.
  • stomach problems. Esbriet may cause stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, and stomach pain.

Your doctor may change your dose or discontinue Esbriet if side effects do not go away.

The most common side effects of Esbriet include upper respiratory tract infections, feeling tired, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, sinusitis, insomnia, or weight loss.

These are not all the possible side effects of Esbriet.

What should you avoid while taking Esbriet?
  • Direct exposure to sunlight, or light from sunlamps and tanning beds.
  • Other medicines that can make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
  • Smoking, which may affect how well Esbriet works.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch or to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, for additional important safety information.

    • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Advance notice of methodological changes for calendar year (CY) 2018 for Medicare Advantage (MA) capitation rates, Part C and Part D payment policies and 2018 call letter. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/MedicareAdvtgSpecRateStats/Downloads/Advance2018.pdf. Posted February 1, 2017. Accessed October 17, 2017.

      Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Advance notice of methodological changes for calendar year (CY) 2018 for Medicare Advantage (MA) capitation rates, Part C and Part D payment policies and 2018 call letter. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/MedicareAdvtgSpecRateStats/Downloads/Advance2018.pdf. Posted February 1, 2017. Accessed October 17, 2017.