About ivacaftor
CFTR potentiator
Used for
- Treats cystic fibrosis in people with specific responsive CFTR mutations.
Usual adult dose
150 mg by mouth every 12 hours with fat-containing food; dosing may differ with liver problems or interacting medicines.
Usual dose in children
For children aged 6 years and older: usually 150 mg every 12 hours with fat-containing food; younger children use weight-based granules.
Common side effects
- Headache
- Upper respiratory infection
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea
- Dizziness
Important warnings
- Check liver tests before treatment and regularly during treatment.
- Can cause cataracts; eye examinations are recommended for children.
- Strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers can substantially change ivacaftor levels.
- Not effective for all CFTR mutations; mutation eligibility should be confirmed.
Pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited; use requires weighing potential benefits and risks.
Breastfeeding
It is unknown whether ivacaftor passes into breast milk; consider potential infant effects.
Interactions
- Strong CYP3A inhibitors, such as clarithromycin, can increase ivacaftor levels.
- Strong CYP3A inducers, such as rifampin, can reduce effectiveness.
- Grapefruit may increase ivacaftor levels.
- Ivacaftor can increase levels of some medicines, including digoxin and certain statins.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.