This medication is a combination of 2 medications:
lumacaftor and ivacaftor. It is used to treat cystic fibrosis in certain
people (those with 2 copies of an abnormal "CFTR" gene). It may help to
improve breathing, reduce the risk of lung infections, and improve weight
gain.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking lumacaftor/ivacaftor and each time
you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your
doctor, usually twice daily (12 hours apart). Eat a fat-containing meal or
snack just before or just after taking this medication. Examples include
eggs, avocados, nuts, butter, peanut butter, cheese pizza, or whole-milk
dairy products (such as whole milk, cheese, yogurt).
If you are taking the granules form of this medication,
gently shake the packet before use. Open the packet and carefully pour the
contents into a small bowl with 1 teaspoonful (5 milliliters) of soft food
or liquid (such as yogurt, applesauce, pudding, milk, or juice). The soft
food or liquid should be at or below room temperature. After mixing, take
all of the mixture within 1 hour. Be sure to eat a fat-containing food as
directed.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition,
response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Children's
dosage may also be based on weight. Be sure to tell your doctor and
pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs,
nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. If your
dose is temporarily stopped for longer than 1 week, ask your doctor for
specific directions to restart this medication. If you are taking certain
other medications, you may be directed to restart at a lower dose for the
first week.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse.
Nausea, gas, or diarrhea may occur. If any of these
effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
This medication may rarely cause serious liver disease.
Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage,
including:
- nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
- loss of appetite
- stomach/abdominal pain
- yellowing eyes/skin
- dark urine
Some people who already have severe lung disease may
develop breathing problems after starting this medication. Get medical help
right away if you have:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
Lumacaftor/ivacaftor can commonly cause a rash that is
usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a
rare rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Tell your doctor right
away if you develop any rash.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to lumacaftor or ivacaftor; or if you have
any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which
can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for
more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your
doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of
lumacaftor/ivacaftor from your body, which may affect how this medication
works. Examples include mifepristone, rifamycins (such as rifampin,
rifabutin), drugs for seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), St.
John's wort, among others.
This medication can speed up the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of
affected drugs include certain azole antifungals (such as isavuconazonium,
voriconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin,
clarithromycin), certain drugs that weaken the immune system (such as
cyclosporine, everolimus, tacrolimus), nirmatrelvir, pacritinib, certain
sedatives (such as midazolam, triazolam), warfarin, among
others.
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of
hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause
pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use
reliable backup birth control methods while using this medication. Also
tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding,
because these may be signs that your birth control is not working
well.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as CFTR gene testing,
liver/lung function, eye exams) will be done before you start taking this
medication and while you are taking it. Keep all medical and lab
appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is less than 6 hours before the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take
your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.