About ivacaftor
CFTR potentiator
Used for
- Treatment of cystic fibrosis in people with eligible CFTR gene variants.
Usual adult dose
Usually 150 mg by mouth every 12 hours with fat-containing food; dose may change with interacting medicines or liver problems.
Usual dose in children
For eligible children aged 6 months and older, dose depends on age, weight, and formulation; specialist-directed dosing is required.
Common side effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea
- Raised liver enzymes
Important warnings
- Liver tests are needed before treatment and during treatment.
- Eye-lens abnormalities have occurred in children; eye examinations are recommended.
- Strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers can substantially change ivacaftor levels.
- Not effective for every CFTR variant.
Pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited; use requires weighing potential benefits and risks.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether ivacaftor passes into human milk; consider potential infant effects.
Interactions
- Avoid strong CYP3A inducers such as rifampin and St John’s wort.
- Strong CYP3A inhibitors, including some azole antifungals, require dose reduction.
- May increase exposure to medicines such as midazolam and digoxin.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.