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Ofev® (nintedanib esilate)

Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis (PPF)

Ofev® (nintedanib esilate)

This section is intended to provide reference information for UK members of the public, patients and their carers. It is not to replace the opinion of a healthcare professional.

Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis (PPF)

Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis (PPF)

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a condition in which the tissue in the lungs becomes thickened, stiff and permanently scarred. This scarring is called fibrosis. In PPF this scarring of the lung tissue has shown signs of getting worse. As a result, less oxygen is able to enter the bloodstream and it becomes difficult to breathe deeply. This is why patients may feel out of breath during daily activities. However, the symptoms of PPF may be different for each person.

Key medical terms:

  • Progressive: getting worse over time
  • Pulmonary: anything related to the lungs
  • Fibrosis: the formation of scar tissue

PPF may be managed in a number of ways. These include medical treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation to help manage symptoms, supplemental oxygen to keep oxygen levels at a healthy level or lung transplantation.

What is Ofev®?

Ofev® is part of a group of medicines known as 'anti-fibrotics' and contains the active ingredient nintedanib. It is used in the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or other chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with a progressive phenotype.

Possible side effects

The most frequent side effects which may be experienced when taking Ofev® (nintedanib) include diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, weight loss and abnormal liver test results. Please refer to the patient information leaflet about other possible side effects.

Where can I find more information?

Patient Information Leaflet

The Patient Information Leaflet is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using this medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.

If you are in the United Kingdom, click the below link to access this information

Summary of Product Characteristics

The Summary of Product Characteristics tells healthcare professionals, such as doctors, pharmacists and nurses, how to prescribe and use this medicine correctly. The information in the Patient Information Leaflet and Summary of Product Characteristics are not intended to replace the opinion of a healthcare professional.

If you are in the United Kingdom, click the below link to access this information

NP-GB-103761 | December 2024

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Side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This
includes any side effects not listed in package leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly to the Yellow Card scheme
of www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of the medicine.