Nintedanib

1 medicine

Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to slow lung scarring in pulmonary fibrosis. It can harm an unborn baby, so effective contraception is required during treatment and for three months after the last dose.

Ofev

Nintedanib

100mg

Ofev is a covid 19 medication containing Nintedanib, available as 100mg capsules.

from $3.90 / capsule View

Key facts

  • Nintedanib (sold as Ofev) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that slows the enzymes driving lung scarring. It is taken as a capsule twice daily with food, roughly 12 hours apart.
  • It can cause birth defects. Anyone who could become pregnant must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose, and must not take it while pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Nintedanib raises the risk of bleeding and can injure the liver and bowel. Blood tests to check liver function are needed before starting and regularly during treatment.
  • Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, black or bloody stools, unusual bruising, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

What nintedanib treats

Nintedanib treats idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive scarring of the lungs, and other chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases where the scarring keeps worsening despite standard care. It also treats lung scarring caused by systemic sclerosis. Combined with the chemotherapy drug docetaxel, it is used for certain forms of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. It does not reverse existing scar tissue; it slows further loss of lung function.

How nintedanib works

Nintedanib blocks several enzymes, including VEGFR, FGFR, and PDGFR receptors, that signal cells to build new blood vessels and scar tissue. By interrupting these signals, it slows the pace at which fibrosis spreads through the lungs and, in cancer, restricts the blood supply tumours need to grow.

Before you take it

  • Do not take nintedanib if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor about any liver disease, recent surgery, bleeding disorder, or use of blood thinners such as warfarin, since these raise the risk of complications.
  • Recent abdominal surgery is a particular concern: nintedanib can increase the risk of the bowel wall tearing (perforation).
  • Smoking reduces nintedanib levels in the blood and can make it less effective; tell your prescriber if you smoke.
  • Avoid strong inhibitors or inducers of P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4, such as ketoconazole, erythromycin, and rifampicin, which change how much nintedanib reaches your bloodstream.

Side effects

Common effects include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, and abdominal pain. Diarrhoea is common enough that it often needs treatment with loperamide or a temporary dose reduction.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Severe or persistent diarrhoea with signs of dehydration.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe fatigue (possible liver injury).
  • Unexplained bruising, bleeding, or black, tarry stools.
  • Sudden, severe abdominal pain.

Safety essentials

  • Nintedanib is teratogenic. Pregnancy status is confirmed before starting, effective contraception is required throughout treatment and for 3 months after stopping, and the drug is stopped immediately if pregnancy occurs.
  • Liver function tests are checked before treatment starts and at regular intervals afterward; doses are reduced or paused if enzymes rise too high.
  • Because of the bleeding and gastrointestinal perforation risks, tell every doctor and dentist you see that you take nintedanib, especially before any surgery.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.