Can pirfenidone treat interstitial pneumonia?

Pirfenidone (Pirfenidone) is the first antifibrotic drug approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is used to treat other interstitial pneumonias such as unexplained interstitial lung disease (ILD) and connective tissue-related ILD. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) of unknown etiology limited to the lungs and characterized by a common histopathological pattern of interstitial pneumonia (UIP).

In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pirfenidone reduced the mean change in lung function (FVC) and reduced the FVC decline by ⩾10% compared with the non-antifibrotic group. There was no difference in the mean change in FVC between smokers and nonsmokers who received pirfenidone. A lower proportion of patients experienced exacerbations and pulmonary fibrosis-related deaths in the pirfenidone group. After 1 year of pirfenidone treatment, KL-6 levels decreased slightly, but not significantly. Gastrointestinal and skin-related adverse events were the most common.

Pirfenidone has been approved for marketing in China under the trade name of Asri. It has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance and is limited to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The specifications produced by domestic pharmaceutical factoriesThe price of 100mg*54 capsules per box is around RMB 500. 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.