Patient leaflet - Pirfenidone 801 mg film-coated tablets
1. What Pirfenidone is and what it is used for
Pirfenidone contains the active substance pirfenidone and it is used for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in adults.
IPF is a condition in which the tissues in your lungs become swollen and scarred over time, and as a result makes it difficult to breathe deeply. This makes it hard for your lungs to work properly. Pirfenidone helps to reduce scarring and swelling in the lungs, and helps you breathe better.
2. What you need to know before you take Pirfenidone
Do not take Pirfenidone
if you are allergic to pirfenidone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
(listed in section 6)
if you have previously experienced angioedema with pirfenidone, including
symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue which may be associated with difficulty breathing or wheezing
if you are taking a medicine called fluvoxamine (used to treat depression and
obsessive compulsive disorder [OCD])
- if you have severe or end stage liver disease
- if you have severe or end stage kidney disease requiring dialysis. If any of the above affects you, do not take Pirfenidone. If you are unsure ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Pirfenidone
You may become more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity reaction) when
taking Pirfenidone. Avoid the sun (including sunlamps) whilst taking Pirfenidone. Wear sunblock daily and cover your arms, legs and head to reduce exposure to sunlight (see section 4: Possible side effects).
You should not take other medicines, such as tetracycline antibiotics (such as
doxycycline), which may make you more sensitive to sunlight. · You should tell your doctor if you suffer from kidney problems · You should tell your doctor if you suffer from mild to moderate liver problems. · You should stop smoking before and during treatment with Pirfenidone. Cigarette
smoking can reduce the effect of Pirfenidone.
Pirfenidone may cause dizziness and tiredness. Be careful if you have to take part
in activities where you have to be alert and co-ordinated.
Pirfenidone can cause weight loss. Your doctor will monitor your weight whilst
you are taking this medicine.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with
eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), have been reported in association with Pirfenidone treatment. Stop using Pirfenidone and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4.
Pirfenidone may cause serious liver problems and some cases have been fatal. You will need a blood test before you start taking Pirfenidone and at monthly intervals for the first 6 months and then every 3 months thereafter whilst you are taking this medicine to check whether your liver is working properly. It is important that you have these regular blood tests for as long as you are taking Pirfenidone.
Children and adolescents
Do not give Pirfenidone to children and adolescents under the age of 18.
Other medicines and Pirfenidone
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.
This is especially important if you are taking the following medicines, as they may change the effect of Pirfenidone.
Medicines that may increase side effects of Pirfenidone:
- enoxacin (a type of antibiotic)
- ciprofloxacin (a type of antibiotic)
- amiodarone (used to treat some types of heart disease)
- propafenone (used to treat some types of heart disease)
- fluvoxamine (used to treat depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)).
Medicines that may reduce how well Pirfenidone works:
- omeprazole (used in the treatment of conditions such as indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- rifampicin (a type of antibiotic).
Pirfenidone with food and drink
Do not drink grapefruit juice whilst taking this medicine. Grapefruit may prevent Pirfenidone from working properly.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of Pirfenidone if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or think you might be pregnant as the potential risks to the unborn child are unknown.
If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Pirfenidone. As it is unknown whether Pirfenidone passes into breast milk, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while breast-feeding if you decide to do so.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive or use machines if you feel dizzy or tired after taking Pirfenidone.
Pirfenidone contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
3. How to take Pirfenidone
Treatment with Pirfenidone should be started and overseen by a specialist doctor experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of IPF.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Your medicine will usually be given to you in increasing doses as follows: · for the first 7 days take a dose of 267 mg (1 white tablet), 3 times a day with food
(a total of 801 mg/day)
from day 8 to 14 take a dose of 534 mg (2 white tablets), 3 times a day with food
(a total of 1,602 mg/day)
- from day 15 onwards (maintenance), take a dose of 801 mg (3 white tablets or 1 red tablet), 3 times a day with food (a total of 2,403 mg/day).
The recommended maintenance daily dose of Pirfenidone is 801 mg (3 white tablets or 1 red tablet) three times a day with food, for a total of 2403 mg/day.
Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water, during or after a meal to reduce the risk of side effects such as nausea (feeling sick) and dizziness. If symptoms continue, see your doctor.
Dose reduction due to side effects
Your doctor may reduce your dose if you suffer from side effects such as, stomach problems, any skin reactions to sunlight or sun lamps, or significant changes to your liver enzymes.
UK (Unit-V) Pirfenidone 267mg/ 801mg Leaflet (Pack Size Addition)
If you take more Pirfenidone than you should
Contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital casualty department immediately if you have taken more tablets than you should, and take your medicine with you.
If you forget to take Pirfenidone
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Each dose should be separated by at least 3 hours. Do not take more tablets each day than your prescribed daily dose.
If you stop taking Pirfenidone
In some situations, your doctor may advise you to stop taking Pirfenidone. If for any reason you have to stop taking Pirfenidone for more than 14 consecutive days, your doctor will restart your treatment with a dose of 267 mg 3 times a day, gradually increasing this to a dose of 801 mg 3 times a day.
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.
Stop taking Pirfenidone and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms or signs
Swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue, itching, hives, difficulty breathing or
wheezing, or feeling faint, which are signs of angioedema, a serious allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.
Yellowing of the eyes or skin, or dark urine, potentially accompanied by itching of
the skin, pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen), loss of appetite, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, or feeling tired. These may be signs of abnormal liver function and could indicate liver injury, which is an uncommon side effect of Pirfenidone.
Reddish non-elevated, or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters,
skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes. These serious skin rashes can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms. (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis).
Widespread rash, high body temperature and enlarged lymph nodes
(DRESS syndrome or drug hypersensitivity syndrome).
Other side effects may include
Talk to your doctor if you get any side effects.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): · infections of the throat or the airways going into the lungs and/or sinusitis · feeling sick (nausea)
- stomach problems such as acid reflux, vomiting, and feeling constipated · diarrhoea
- indigestion or stomach upset
- weight loss
- decreased appetite
- difficulty sleeping
- tiredness
- dizziness
- headache
- shortness of breath
- cough
- aching joints/joint pains.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- bladder infections
- feeling sleepy
- changes in taste
- hot flushes
stomach problems such as feeling bloated, abdominal pain and discomfort, heart
burn and passing wind
- blood tests may show increased levels of liver enzymes
- skin reactions after going out in the sun or using sunlamps
- skin problems such as itchy skin, skin redness or red skin, dry skin, skin rash · muscle pain
- feeling weak or feeling low in energy
- chest pain
- sunburn.
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Low levels of sodium in the blood. This may cause headache, dizziness, confusion, weakness, muscle cramps or nausea and vomiting. · blood tests may show decrease in white blood cells.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme website www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Pirfenidone
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 bottle label and carton 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 protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Pirfenidone contains
The active substance is pirfenidone.
Each film-coated tablet contains 267 mg of pirfenidone.
Each film-coated tablet contains 801 mg of pirfenidone.
The other ingredients are: Cellulose, microcrystalline, povidone, croscarmellose sodium, silica, colloidal anhydrous and magnesium stearate.
The film coat consists of: Polyvinyl alcohol-part. hydrolysed (E1203), titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol (E1521), talc (E553b) and iron oxide red (E172) (for 801 mg).
What Pirfenidone looks like and contents of the pack
Pirfenidone 267 mg film-coated tablets
White, oval, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “P16" on one side and “H” on the other side. The dimensions 13.20 x 6.40 mm.
Pirfenidone 801 mg film-coated tablets
Red, oval, biconvex film-coated tablets debossed with “P17" on one side and “H” on the other side. The dimensions 20.20 x 9.30 mm.
Alu-White Opaque PVC/Aclar blister pack containing 21, 63, 84, 90 and 252 film-coated tablets.
HDPE bottle with child resistant polypropylene cap containing 21, 63, 84, 90 and 252 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Amarox Limited
Congress House, 14 Lyon Road
Harrow, HA1 2EN
United Kingdom
This leaflet was last revised in 07/2026.
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