Ofev (Nintedanib)

Nintedanib (nin ted' a nib ) Ofev®

Nintedanib is used for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs with an unknown cause). Nintedanib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of enzymes involved in causing fibrosis.

Nintedanib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food every 12 hours (twice a day). Take nintedanib capsules at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nintedanib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole with liquid; do not chew or crush them. Your doctor may need to decrease your dose or stop treatment if you experience certain severe side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Before taking nintedanib, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nintedanib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in nintedanib capsules. Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's patient information for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (''blood thinners'') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, Teril); erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Eryc); ketoconazole; laxatives; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); pirfenidone (Esbriet); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); or stool softeners. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort. tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had a bleeding problem, if you have or have ever had liver or heart disease or blood clots, and if you have had recent abdominal surgery. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should not become pregnant while you are taking nintedanib; the medication may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment and for at least 3 months after your last dose of nintedanib. If you become pregnant while taking nintedanib, call your doctor. tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication. You should stop smoking before you start taking nintedanib and avoid smoking during your treatment.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

If you miss a dose of nintedanib, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Nintedanib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: nausea vomiting decreased appetite weight loss Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: diarrhea extreme tiredness unusual bleeding or bruising lack of energy loss of appetite pain in the upper right part of the stomach yellowing of the skin or eyes dark or brown (tea-colored) urine chest pain pain in your arms, back, neck, or jaw shortness of breath numbness or weakness on one side of your body difficulty speaking headache dizziness wounds that do not heal pain or swelling in your stomach area Nintedanib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to nintedanib. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.