How effective is pirfenidone in treating pulmonary fibrosis?

Fibrosis is a result of chronic inflammation and is known to occur pathologically in many organs and systems. Pirfenidone is an antifibrotic drug known to be used in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In addition to its anti-fibrotic effects, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Pirfenidone has also been studied in other diseases, some clinical and some preclinical.

Among the many benefits of pirfenidone in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pirfenidone effectively improves survival rates in patients with acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and reduces respiratory-related hospitalizations, among others. Pirfenidone has also shown improvements in lung capacity in patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Additionally, it has been shown to have antifibrotic effects in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease. In diseases other than the lungs, pirfenidone reverses insulin resistance and has been shown to be effective in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It prevents blindness after alkali damage to the eyes and has been shown to reduce the proliferation of mesothelioma cells.

The original drug pirfenidone has been approved for marketing in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance. Reimbursement is limited to patients who meet the indications. SpecificationsThe price of each box of 100mg*54 tablets is about 500 yuan. There are also generic pirfenidone drugs produced in other countries overseas. For example, the price of a box of 200mg*30 tablets produced by an Indian pharmaceutical factory is around RMB 100 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of the generic drugs are basically the same as those of the original drug. For more drug information and specific prices, please consult Yaode Medical Consultant.