Patient leaflet - Kalydeco
B. PACKAGE LEAFLET
Package leaflet: Information for the patient
Kalydeco 75 mg film-coated tablets
Kalydeco 150 mg film-coated tablets ivacaftor
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
-
1. What Kalydeco is and what it is used for
-
2. What you need to know before you take Kalydeco
-
3. How to take Kalydeco
-
4. Possible side effects
-
5. How to store Kalydeco
-
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Kalydeco is and what it is used for
Kalydeco contains the active ingredient ivacaftor. Ivacaftor acts at the level of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a protein that forms a channel at the cell surface that allows the movement of particles such as chloride in and out of the cell. Due to mutations in the CFTR gene (see below), chloride movement is reduced in those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Ivacaftor helps certain abnormal CFTR proteins open more often to improve chloride movement in and out of the cell.
Kalydeco tablets are indicated:
- As monotherapy for patients aged 6 years and older and weighing 25 kg or more with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have an R117H CFTR mutation or one of the following gating mutations in the CFTR gene: G551D, G1244E, G1349D, G178R, G551S, S1251N, S1255P, S549N or S549R.
- In combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor tablets for patients aged 6 years and older with CF who have two F508del mutations in the CFTR gene (homozygous for the F508del mutation) or who have an F508del mutation and certain other second mutations that result in reduced amount and/or function of the CFTR protein (heterozygous for the F508del mutation with a residual function (RF) mutation). If you have been prescribed Kalydeco to be taken with tezacaftor/ivacaftor, read the package leaflet of the latter. It contains important information about how to take these two medicines.
- In combination with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor tablets for patients aged 6 years and over who have CF, with at least one F508del mutation in the CFTR gene. If you have been prescribed Kalydeco to be taken with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor, read the package leaflet of the latter. It contains important information about how to take these two medicines.
2. What you need to know before you take Kalydeco
Do not take Kalydeco
- if you are allergic to ivacaftor or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
- Talk to your doctor if you have liver problems or have previously had them. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
- Increased liver enzymes in the blood have been seen in some people receiving Kalydeco (alone
or in combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor). Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms, which may be a sign of liver problems:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach (abdominal) area
- Yellowing of the skin or the white part of the eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dark urine
Your doctor will do some blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment, particularly during the first year and especially if your blood tests showed high liver enzymes in the past.
- Talk to your doctor if you have kidney problems or have previously had them.
- Kalydeco (alone or in combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) is not recommended if you have undergone an organ transplant.
- Talk to your doctor if you are using hormonal contraception – for example, women using the contraceptive pill. This may mean you are more likely to get a rash while taking Kalydeco in combination with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor.
- Abnormality of the eye lens (cataract) without any effect on vision has been noted in some children and adolescents treated with Kalydeco (alone or in combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor). Your doctor may perform some eye examinations prior to and during treatment.
- Kalydeco (alone or in combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) should only be used if you have one of the mutations in the CFTR gene indicated in section 1 (What Kalydeco is and what it is used for).
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children under 4 months of age as it is not known if ivacaftor is safe and effective in these children.
Do not give this medicine in combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor to children under 6 years of age or in combination with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor to children under 6 years of age as it is not known if they are safe and effective for them.
Other medicines and Kalydeco
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. Some medicines can affect how Kalydeco works or make side effects more likely. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. Your doctor may decide to adjust your dose or that you need extra check-ups.
- Antifungal medicines (used for the treatment of fungal infections). These include fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole.
- Antibiotic medicines (used for the treatment of bacterial infections). These include clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifabutin, rifampicin, and telithromycin.
- Epilepsy medicines (used for the treatment of epileptic seizures or fits). These include carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.
- Herbal medicines. These include St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
- Immunosuppressants (used after an organ transplantation). These include ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus, and tacrolimus.
- Cardiac glycosides (used for the treatment of some heart conditions). These include digoxin.
- Anticoagulant medicines (used to prevent blood clots). These include warfarin.
- Medicines for diabetes. These include glimepiride and glipizide.
- Medicines for lowering blood pressure. These include verapamil.
Kalydeco with food and drink
Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with Kalydeco as they may increase the side effects of Kalydeco by increasing the amount of ivacaftor in your body.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. It may be better to avoid using Kalydeco during pregnancy, if possible, and your doctor will help you decide what is best for you and your child.
It is unknown whether ivacaftor is excreted in human milk. If you plan to breast-feed, ask your doctor for advice before taking Kalydeco. Your doctor will decide whether to recommend that you stop breast-feeding or for you to stop ivacaftor therapy. Your doctor will take into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for you.
Driving and using machines
Kalydeco can make you dizzy. If you feel dizzy, do not drive, cycle or use machines.
Important information about the contents of Kalydeco
Kalydeco contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Kalydeco contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Kalydeco
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you to. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Your doctor will determine which medicine and dose is right for you.
Kalydeco dosing recommendations are provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Dosing recommendations
| Morning | Evening | |
| Kalydeco as monotherapy | ||
| 6 years and older, >25 kg | One Kalydeco 150 mg tablet | One Kalydeco 150 mg tablet |
| Kalydeco in combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor | ||
| 6 years to less than 12 years, <30 kg | One tezacaftor 50 mg/ivacaftor 75 mg tablet | One Kalydeco 75 mg tablet |
| 6 years to less than 12 years, >30 kg | One tezacaftor 100 mg/ivacaftor 150 mg tablet | One Kalydeco 150 mg tablet |
| 12 years and older | One tezacaftor 100 mg/ivacaftor 150 mg tablet | One Kalydeco 150 mg tablet |
| Kalydeco in combination with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor | ||
| 6 years to less than 12 years, <30 kg | Two ivacaftor 37.5 mg/tezacaftor 25 mg/elexacaftor 50 mg tablets | One Kalydeco 75 mg tablet |
| 6 years to less than 12 years, >30 kg | Two ivacaftor 75 mg/tezacaftor 50 mg/elexacaftor 100 mg tablets | One Kalydeco 150 mg tablet |
| 12 years and older | Two ivacaftor 75 mg/tezacaftor 50 mg/elexacaftor 100 mg tablets | One Kalydeco 150 mg tablet |
Take the morning and evening doses approximately 12 hours apart with food that contains fat.
You must keep using all other medicines you use, unless your doctor tells you to stop using any.
If you have liver problems, either moderate or severe, your doctor may need to reduce the dose of your tablets, because your liver will not clear the medicine as fast as in people who have normal liver function.
This medicine is for oral use.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, chew or dissolve the tablets. Take Kalydeco tablets with food that contains fat.
Meals or snacks that contain fat include those prepared with butter or oils or those containing eggs. Other fat-containing foods are:
- Cheese, whole milk, whole-milk dairy products, yogurt, chocolate
- Meats, oily fish
- Avocados, hummus, soy-based products (tofu)
- Nuts, fat-containing nutritional bars or drinks
If you take more Kalydeco than you should
You may experience side effects, including those mentioned in section 4 below. If so, contact your doctor or pharmacist to ask for advice. If possible, have your medicine and this leaflet with you.
If you forget to take Kalydeco
Take the missed dose if less than 6 hours have passed since the time you missed the dose. Otherwise, wait until your next scheduled dose as you normally would. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Kalydeco
Take Kalydeco for as long as your doctor recommends. Do not stop unless your doctor advises you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Serious side effects
Stomach (abdominal) ache and increased liver enzymes in the blood.
Possible signs of liver problems
Increased liver enzymes in the blood are common in patients with CF and have also been reported in patients taking Kalydeco alone or in combination with tezacaftor/ivacaftor or ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor.
In patients taking Kalydeco in combination with ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor, liver damage and worsening of liver function in people with severe liver disease has been reported. The worsening of liver function can be serious and may require transplantation.
These may be signs of liver problems:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right area of the stomach (abdominal) area
- Yellowing of the skin or white part of the eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dark urine
Tell your doctor straight away if you have any of these symptoms.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (the common cold), including sore throat and nasal congestion
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Changes in the type of bacteria in mucus
- Increased liver enzymes (signs of stress on the liver)
- Rash
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Runny nose
- Ear pain, ear discomfort
- Ringing in the ears
- Redness inside the ear
- Inner ear disorder (feeling dizzy or spinning)
- Sinus problems (sinus congestion)
- Redness in the throat
- Breast mass
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Flu
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
- Abnormal breathing (shortness of breath or difficulty breathing)
- Wind (flatulence)
- Spots (acne)
- Itchy skin
- Increased creatine phosphokinase (sign of muscle breakdown) seen in blood tests
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Ear congestion
- Breast inflammation
- Enlargement of the breast in males
- Nipple changes or pain
- Wheezing
- Increased blood pressure
Additional side effects in children and adolescents
Side effects seen in children and adolescents are similar to those observed in adults. However, increased liver enzymes in the blood are more frequently seen in young children.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed inBy reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Kalydeco
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the package after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Kalydeco contains
The active substance is ivacaftor.
Kalydeco 75 mg film-coated tablets
Each 75 mg film-coated tablet contains 75 mg of ivacaftor.
Kalydeco 150 mg film-coated tablets
Each 150 mg film-coated tablet contains 150 mg of ivacaftor.
The other ingredients are:
- Tablet core: cellulose microcrystalline, lactose monohydrate, hypromellose acetate succinate, croscarmellose sodium, sodium laurilsulfate (E487), silica, colloidal anhydrous, and magnesium stearate.
- Coating: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol (PEG 3350), talc, indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132) and carnauba wax.
- Printing ink: shellac, iron oxide black (E172), propylene glycol (E1520) and ammonia solution, concentrated.
See the end of section 2 – Important information about the contents of Kalydeco.
What Kalydeco looks like and contents of the pack
Kalydeco 75 mg film-coated tablets are light blue, capsule-shaped, 12.7 mm x 6.8 mm, and printed with “V 75” in black ink on one side and plain on the other side.
The following pack sizes are available:
- Blister card pack containing 28 film-coated tablets
Kalydeco 150 mg film-coated tablets are light blue, capsule-shaped, 16.5 mm x 8.4 mm, and printed with “V 150” in black ink on one side and plain on the other.
The following pack sizes are available:
- Blister card pack containing 28 film-coated tablets
- Blister pack containing 56 film-coated tablets
- Bottle containing 56 film-coated tablets
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Limited
Unit 49, Block F2, Northwood Court, Santry,
Dublin 9, D09 T665,
Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)1 761 7299
Manufacturer
Almac Pharma Services (Ireland) Limited
Finnabair Industrial Estate
Dundalk
Co. Louth
A91 P9KD
Ireland
Almac Pharma Services Limited
Seagoe Industrial Estate
Craigavon
County Armagh
BT63 5UA
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
België/Belgique/Belgien, Et.nrapun, Česká republika, España
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Spain, S.L. Tel: + 34 91 7892800
Danmark, Deutschland, Eesti, France, Hrvatska, Ireland, island, Kùnpoç, Latvija, Lietuva,
Luxembourg/Luxemburg, Magyarország, Malta,
Nederland, Norge, Österreich, Polska, Portugal,
Romania, Slovenija, Slovenská republika,
Suomi/Finland, Sverige, United Kingdom (Northern
Ireland)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Limited
Tél/Tel/Ten/Tlf/Sími/TnVPuh:
+353 (0) 1 761 7299
EZZaöa Italia
Vertex OappaKeuTiKp Movonpóoojnn Avóvupn ETaipia Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Tql: +30 (211) 2120535
(Italy) S.r.l.
Tel: +39 0697794000
This leaflet was last revised in
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: There are also links to other websites about rare diseases and treatments.
Package leaflet: Information for the patient
Kalydeco 25 mg granules in sachet
Kalydeco 50 mg granules in sachet
Kalydeco 75 mg granules in sachet ivacaftor
Read all of this leaflet carefully before your child starts taking this medicine because it contains important information for your child.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for your child only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as your child’s.
- If your child gets any side effects, talk to your child’s doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
-
1. What Kalydeco is and what it is used for
-
2. What you need to know before your child takes Kalydeco
-
3. How to take Kalydeco
-
4. Possible side effects
-
5. How to store Kalydeco
-
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Kalydeco is and what it is used for
Kalydeco contains the active ingredient ivacaftor. Ivacaftor acts at the level of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a protein that forms a channel at the cell surface that allows the movement of particles such as chloride in and out of the cell. Due to mutations in the CFTR gene (see below), chloride movement is reduced in those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Ivacaftor helps certain abnormal CFTR proteins open more often to improve chloride movement in and out of the cell.
Kalydeco granules are indicated for the treatment of babies and children aged 4 months and older and weighing 5 kg to less than 25 kg with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have an R117H CFTR mutation or one of the following gating mutations in the CFTR gene: G551D, G1244E, G1349D, G178R, G551S, S1251N, S1255P, S549N or S549R.
2. What you need to know before your child takes Kalydeco
Do not take Kalydeco
- if your child is allergic to ivacaftor or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
- Talk to your child’s doctor if your child has liver problems or has had them previously. Your child’s doctor may need to adjust your child’s dose.
- Increased liver enzymes in the blood have been seen in some people receiving Kalydeco. Tell your child’s doctor right away if your child has any of these symptoms, which may be a sign of liver problems:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach (abdominal) area
- Yellowing of the skin or the white part of the eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dark urine
Your child’s doctor will do some blood tests to check your child’s liver before and during treatment, particularly during the first year and especially if blood tests showed high liver enzymes in the past.
- Talk to your child’s doctor if you have been told your child has kidney problems or has previously had them.
- Kalydeco is not recommended for patients who have undergone an organ transplant.
- Abnormality of the eye lens (cataract) without any effect on vision has been noted in some children and adolescents during treatment.
Your child’s doctor may perform some eye examinations prior to and during treatment with ivacaftor.
Children
Do not give this medicine to children under 4 months of age as it is not known if ivacaftor is safe and effective in these children.
Other medicines and Kalydeco
Tell your child’s doctor or pharmacist if your child is using, has recently used or might use any other medicines. Some medicines can affect how Kalydeco works or make side effects more likely. In particular, tell your child’s doctor if your child is taking any of the medicines listed below. Your child’s doctor may decide to adjust your child’s dose or if extra check-ups are needed.
- Antifungal medicines (used for the treatment of fungal infections). These include fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole.
- Antibiotic medicines (used for the treatment of bacterial infections). These include, clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifabutin, rifampicin and telithromycin.
- Epilepsy medicines (used for the treatment of epileptic seizures or fits). These include carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.
- Herbal medicines. These include St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
- Immunosuppressants (used after an organ transplantation). These include ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus, and tacrolimus.
- Cardiac glycosides (used for the treatment of some heart conditions). These include digoxin.
- Anticoagulant medicines (used to prevent blood clots). These include warfarin.
- Medicines for diabetes. These include glimepiride and glipizide.
- Medicines for lowering blood pressure. These include verapamil.
Kalydeco with food and drink
Avoid giving your child food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with Kalydeco as they may increase the side effects of Kalydeco by increasing the amount of ivacaftor in your child’s body.
Driving and using machines
Kalydeco can make your child dizzy. If your child feels dizzy, it is advised that your child does not ride his/her bike or do anything else that needs his/her full attention.
Important information about the contents of Kalydeco
Kalydeco contains lactose. If you have been told by your child’s doctor that your child has an intolerance to some sugars, contact your child’s doctor before your child takes this medicine.
Kalydeco contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Kalydeco
Always give your child this medicine exactly as your child’s doctor has told you to. Check with your child’s doctor if you are not sure.
Your child’s doctor will determine the correct dose for your child. Your child must keep using all other medicines, unless your child’s doctor tells him/her to stop using any.
Kalydeco dosing recommendations are provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Dosing recommendations for children aged 4 months and older
| Age | Weight | Dose | Total daily dose |
| 4 months to less than 6 months | 5 kg or more | One sachet of 25 mg granules taken orally every 12 hours with fat-containing food | 50 mg |
| 6 months and older | 5 kg to less than 7 kg | One Kalydeco sachet of 25 mg granules taken orally every 12 hours with fat-containing food | 50 mg |
| 7 kg to less than 14 kg | One Kalydeco sachet of 50 mg granules taken orally every 12 hours with fat-containing food | 100 mg | |
| 14 kg to less than 25 kg | One Kalydeco sachet of 75 mg granules taken orally every 12 hours with fat-containing food | 150 mg | |
| 25 kg or more | Please refer to Kalydeco tablets Package Leaflet | ||
If your child has liver problems , your child’s doctor may need to reduce the dose of Kalydeco as your child’s liver will not clear the medicine as fast as in children who have normal liver function.
- Moderate liver problems in children 6 months of age or older: the dose may be reduced to one half of the indicated dose in the table above, that is one sachet once daily.
- Severe liver problems in children 6 months of age or older: the use is not recommended but your child’s doctor will decide if it is appropriate for your child to use this medicine in which case the dose (as indicated in the table above) must be reduced to one sachet every other day.
- Liver problems in children between 4 months and 6 months of age: the use is not recommended but your child’s doctor will decide if it is appropriate for your child to use and what dose your child should have.
Kalydeco is for oral use.
Each sachet is for single use only.
Giving Kalydeco to your child:
- Hold sachet of granules with cut line on top.
- Shake sachet gently to settle contents.
- Tear or cut sachet open along cut line.
- Mix the entire content of a sachet with 5 mL of age-appropriate soft food or liquid. Food or liquid should be at room temperature or below. Some examples of age-appropriate soft foods or liquids include pureed fruits or vegetables, yogurt, applesauce, water, milk, breast milk, infant formula, or juice.
- Once mixed, give the product to your child immediately. If this is not possible, give it within the following hour after mixing. Ensure that the mixture is completely and immediately consumed.
- A fat-containing meal or snack should be given to your child just before or just after dosing
(some examples are provided below).
Meals or snacks that contain fat include those prepared with butter or oils or those containing eggs. Other fat-containing foods are:
- Cheese, whole milk, whole-milk dairy products, yogurt, breast milk, infant formula, chocolate
- Meats, oily fish
- Avocados, hummus, soy-based products (tofu)
- Nuts, fat-containing nutritional bars or drinks
If your child takes more Kalydeco than he/she should
Your child may experience side effects, including those mentioned in section 4 below. If so, contact your child’s doctor or pharmacist to ask for advice. If possible, have your child’s medicine and this leaflet with you.
If you forget to give your child Kalydeco
Give the missed dose if less than 6 hours have passed since the time your child missed the dose. Otherwise, wait until your child’s next scheduled dose as you normally would. Do not give your child a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop giving your child Kalydeco
Give Kalydeco to your child for as long as your child’s doctor recommends. Do not stop unless your child’s doctor advises you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Serious side effects
Stomach (abdominal) ache and increased liver enzymes in the blood.
Possible signs of liver problems
Increased liver enzymes in the blood are common in patients with CF. These may be signs of liver problems:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right area of the stomach (abdominal) area
- Yellowing of the skin or white part of the eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dark urine
Tell your child’s doctor straight away if he/she gets any of these.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (the common cold), including sore throat and nasal congestion
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Rash
- Changes in the type of bacteria in mucus
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Runny nose
- Ear pain, ear discomfort
- Ringing in the ears
- Redness inside the ear
- Inner ear disorder (feeling dizzy or spinning)
- Sinus congestion
- Redness in the throat
- Breast mass
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Ear congestion
- Breast inflammation
- Enlargement of the breast in males
- Nipple changes or pain
Additional side effects in children and adolescents
Side effects seen in children and adolescents are similar to those observed in adults. However, increased liver enzymes in the blood are more frequently seen in young children.
Reporting of side effects
If your child gets any side effects, talk to your child’s doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Kalydeco
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the package after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Once mixed, the mixture has been shown to be stable for one hour.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Kalydeco contains
Kalydeco 25 mg granules in sachet:
The active substance is ivacaftor. Each sachet contains 25 mg of ivacaftor.
Kalydeco 50 mg granules in sachet:
The active substance is ivacaftor. Each sachet contains 50 mg of ivacaftor.
Kalydeco 75 mg granules in sachet:
The active substance is ivacaftor. Each sachet contains 75 mg of ivacaftor.
The other ingredients are: silica, colloidal anhydrous, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose acetate succinate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, sucralose and sodium laurilsulfate (E487).
See the end of section 2 – Important information about the contents of Kalydeco.
What Kalydeco looks like and contents of the pack
Kalydeco 75 mg film-coated tablets are light blue, capsule-shaped, 12.7 mm x 6.8 mm, and printed with “V 75” in black ink on one side and plain on the other side.
The following pack sizes are available:
- Blister card pack containing 28 film-coated tablets
Kalydeco 150 mg film-coated tablets are light blue, capsule-shaped, 16.5 mm x 8.4 mm, and printed with “V 150” in black ink on one side and plain on the other.
The following pack sizes are available:
- Blister card pack containing 28 film-coated tablets
- Blister pack containing 56 film-coated tablets
- Bottle containing 56 film-coated tablets
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Limited
Unit 49, Block F2, Northwood Court, Santry,
Dublin 9, D09 T665,
Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)1 761 7299
Manufacturer
Almac Pharma Services (Ireland) Limited
Finnabair Industrial Estate
Dundalk
Co. Louth
A91 P9KD
Ireland
Almac Pharma Services Limited
Seagoe Industrial Estate
Craigavon
County Armagh
BT63 5UA
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
België/Belgique/Belgien, Et.nrapun, Česká republika, España
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Spain, S.L. Tel: + 34 91 7892800
Danmark, Deutschland, Eesti, France, Hrvatska, Ireland, island, Kùnpoç, Latvija, Lietuva,
Luxembourg/Luxemburg, Magyarország, Malta,
Nederland, Norge, Österreich, Polska, Portugal,
Romania, Slovenija, Slovenská republika,
Suomi/Finland, Sverige, United Kingdom (Northern
Ireland)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Limited
Tél/Tel/Ten/Tlf/Sími/TnVPuh:
+353 (0) 1 761 7299
EZZaöa Italia
Vertex OappaKeuTiKp Movonpóoojnn Avóvupn ETaipia Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Tql: +30 (211) 2120535
(Italy) S.r.l.
Tel: +39 0697794000
This leaflet was last revised in
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: There are also links to other websites about rare diseases and treatments.
Package leaflet: Information for the patient
Kalydeco 25 mg granules in sachet
Kalydeco 50 mg granules in sachet
Kalydeco 75 mg granules in sachet ivacaftor
Read all of this leaflet carefully before your child starts taking this medicine because it contains important information for your child.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for your child only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as your child’s.
- If your child gets any side effects, talk to your child’s doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
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1. What Kalydeco is and what it is used for
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2. What you need to know before your child takes Kalydeco
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3. How to take Kalydeco
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4. Possible side effects
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5. How to store Kalydeco
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6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Kalydeco is and what it is used for
Kalydeco contains the active ingredient ivacaftor. Ivacaftor acts at the level of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a protein that forms a channel at the cell surface that allows the movement of particles such as chloride in and out of the cell. Due to mutations in the CFTR gene (see below), chloride movement is reduced in those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Ivacaftor helps certain abnormal CFTR proteins open more often to improve chloride movement in and out of the cell.
Kalydeco granules are indicated for the treatment of babies and children aged 4 months and older and weighing 5 kg to less than 25 kg with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have an R117H CFTR mutation or one of the following gating mutations in the CFTR gene: G551D, G1244E, G1349D, G178R, G551S, S1251N, S1255P, S549N or S549R.
2. What you need to know before your child takes Kalydeco
Do not take Kalydeco
- if your child is allergic to ivacaftor or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
- Talk to your child’s doctor if your child has liver problems or has had them previously. Your child’s doctor may need to adjust your child’s dose.
- Increased liver enzymes in the blood have been seen in some people receiving Kalydeco. Tell your child’s doctor right away if your child has any of these symptoms, which may be a sign of liver problems:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach (abdominal) area
- Yellowing of the skin or the white part of the eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dark urine
Your child’s doctor will do some blood tests to check your child’s liver before and during treatment, particularly during the first year and especially if blood tests showed high liver enzymes in the past.
- Talk to your child’s doctor if you have been told your child has kidney problems or has previously had them.
- Kalydeco is not recommended for patients who have undergone an organ transplant.
- Abnormality of the eye lens (cataract) without any effect on vision has been noted in some children and adolescents during treatment.
Your child’s doctor may perform some eye examinations prior to and during treatment with ivacaftor.
Children
Do not give this medicine to children under 4 months of age as it is not known if ivacaftor is safe and effective in these children.
Other medicines and Kalydeco
Tell your child’s doctor or pharmacist if your child is using, has recently used or might use any other medicines. Some medicines can affect how Kalydeco works or make side effects more likely. In particular, tell your child’s doctor if your child is taking any of the medicines listed below. Your child’s doctor may decide to adjust your child’s dose or if extra check-ups are needed.
- Antifungal medicines (used for the treatment of fungal infections). These include fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole.
- Antibiotic medicines (used for the treatment of bacterial infections). These include, clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifabutin, rifampicin and telithromycin.
- Epilepsy medicines (used for the treatment of epileptic seizures or fits). These include carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.
- Herbal medicines. These include St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
- Immunosuppressants (used after an organ transplantation). These include ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus, and tacrolimus.
- Cardiac glycosides (used for the treatment of some heart conditions). These include digoxin.
- Anticoagulant medicines (used to prevent blood clots). These include warfarin.
- Medicines for diabetes. These include glimepiride and glipizide.
- Medicines for lowering blood pressure. These include verapamil.
Kalydeco with food and drink
Avoid giving your child food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with Kalydeco as they may increase the side effects of Kalydeco by increasing the amount of ivacaftor in your child’s body.
Driving and using machines
Kalydeco can make your child dizzy. If your child feels dizzy, it is advised that your child does not ride his/her bike or do anything else that needs his/her full attention.
Important information about the contents of Kalydeco
Kalydeco contains lactose. If you have been told by your child’s doctor that your child has an intolerance to some sugars, contact your child’s doctor before your child takes this medicine.
Kalydeco contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Kalydeco
Always give your child this medicine exactly as your child’s doctor has told you to. Check with your child’s doctor if you are not sure.
Your child’s doctor will determine the correct dose for your child. Your child must keep using all other medicines, unless your child’s doctor tells him/her to stop using any.
Kalydeco dosing recommendations are provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Dosing recommendations for children aged 4 months and older
| Age | Weight | Dose | Total daily dose |
| 4 months to less than 6 months | 5 kg or more | One sachet of 25 mg granules taken orally every 12 hours with fat-containing food | 50 mg |
| 6 months and older | 5 kg to less than 7 kg | One Kalydeco sachet of 25 mg granules taken orally every 12 hours with fat-containing food | 50 mg |
| 7 kg to less than 14 kg | One Kalydeco sachet of 50 mg granules taken orally every 12 hours with fat-containing food | 100 mg | |
| 14 kg to less than 25 kg | One Kalydeco sachet of 75 mg granules taken orally every 12 hours with fat-containing food | 150 mg | |
| 25 kg or more | Please refer to Kalydeco tablets Package Leaflet | ||
If your child has liver problems , your child’s doctor may need to reduce the dose of Kalydeco as your child’s liver will not clear the medicine as fast as in children who have normal liver function.
- Moderate liver problems in children 6 months of age or older: the dose may be reduced to one half of the indicated dose in the table above, that is one sachet once daily.
- Severe liver problems in children 6 months of age or older: the use is not recommended but your child’s doctor will decide if it is appropriate for your child to use this medicine in which case the dose (as indicated in the table above) must be reduced to one sachet every other day.
- Liver problems in children between 4 months and 6 months of age: the use is not recommended but your child’s doctor will decide if it is appropriate for your child to use and what dose your child should have.
Kalydeco is for oral use.
Each sachet is for single use only.
Giving Kalydeco to your child:
- Hold sachet of granules with cut line on top.
- Shake sachet gently to settle contents.
- Tear or cut sachet open along cut line.
- Mix the entire content of a sachet with 5 mL of age-appropriate soft food or liquid. Food or liquid should be at room temperature or below. Some examples of age-appropriate soft foods or liquids include pureed fruits or vegetables, yogurt, applesauce, water, milk, breast milk, infant formula, or juice.
- Once mixed, give the product to your child immediately. If this is not possible, give it within the following hour after mixing. Ensure that the mixture is completely and immediately consumed.
- A fat-containing meal or snack should be given to your child just before or just after dosing
(some examples are provided below).
Meals or snacks that contain fat include those prepared with butter or oils or those containing eggs. Other fat-containing foods are:
- Cheese, whole milk, whole-milk dairy products, yogurt, breast milk, infant formula, chocolate
- Meats, oily fish
- Avocados, hummus, soy-based products (tofu)
- Nuts, fat-containing nutritional bars or drinks
If your child takes more Kalydeco than he/she should
Your child may experience side effects, including those mentioned in section 4 below. If so, contact your child’s doctor or pharmacist to ask for advice. If possible, have your child’s medicine and this leaflet with you.
If you forget to give your child Kalydeco
Give the missed dose if less than 6 hours have passed since the time your child missed the dose. Otherwise, wait until your child’s next scheduled dose as you normally would. Do not give your child a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop giving your child Kalydeco
Give Kalydeco to your child for as long as your child’s doctor recommends. Do not stop unless your child’s doctor advises you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Serious side effects
Stomach (abdominal) ache and increased liver enzymes in the blood.
Possible signs of liver problems
Increased liver enzymes in the blood are common in patients with CF. These may be signs of liver problems:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right area of the stomach (abdominal) area
- Yellowing of the skin or white part of the eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dark urine
Tell your child’s doctor straight away if he/she gets any of these.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (the common cold), including sore throat and nasal congestion
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Rash
- Changes in the type of bacteria in mucus
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Runny nose
- Ear pain, ear discomfort
- Ringing in the ears
- Redness inside the ear
- Inner ear disorder (feeling dizzy or spinning)
- Sinus congestion
- Redness in the throat
- Breast mass
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Ear congestion
- Breast inflammation
- Enlargement of the breast in males
- Nipple changes or pain
Additional side effects in children and adolescents
Side effects seen in children and adolescents are similar to those observed in adults. However, increased liver enzymes in the blood are more frequently seen in young children.
Reporting of side effects
If your child gets any side effects, talk to your child’s doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Kalydeco
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the package after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Once mixed, the mixture has been shown to be stable for one hour.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Kalydeco contains
Kalydeco 25 mg granules in sachet:
The active substance is ivacaftor. Each sachet contains 25 mg of ivacaftor.
Kalydeco 50 mg granules in sachet:
The active substance is ivacaftor. Each sachet contains 50 mg of ivacaftor.
Kalydeco 75 mg granules in sachet:
The active substance is ivacaftor. Each sachet contains 75 mg of ivacaftor.
The other ingredients are: silica, colloidal anhydrous, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose acetate succinate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, sucralose and sodium laurilsulfate (E487).
See the end of section 2 – Important information about the contents of Kalydeco.
What Kalydeco looks like and contents of the pack
Kalydeco 25 mg granules in sachet are white to off-white granules.
Kalydeco 50 mg granules in sachet are white to off-white granules.
Kalydeco 75 mg granules in sachet are white to off-white granules.
The granules are supplied in sachets.
- Pack size of 56 sachets (contains 4 individual wallets with 14 sachets per wallet)