Nintedanib | North Bristol NHS Trust

What is nintedanib?

Nintedanib, also known as Ofev®, is an antifibrotic medication designed to try and slow the development of scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs. It doesn’t cure the condition or reverse any existing scarring, but it may slow down the rate of lung function decline.

What monitoring do I need to have while I am on nintedanib?

While you are on treatment with nintedanib you will need to have your liver function tests monitored regularly. You should contact your GP surgery to arrange an appointment to have the blood tests. Your GP will not contact you to arrange this. If your GP cannot help you with this, please contact your normal hospital to make arrangements.

You must not stop having blood tests. It is a good idea to mark these on your calendar as a reminder. If you do not have your liver function monitored, we are unable to supply medication. You must now continue to have blood tests every 3 months the whole time you are on antifibrotic treatment.

How will I get my nintedanib?

Your nintedanib will be delivered to your house by a company called Polar Speed. They will usually contact you within 2 weeks of your appointment at Southmead hospital to arrange dates for delivery. If you have any queries about your deliveries you can contact Polar Speed directly on 0800 7833178.

It is a good idea to have at least 2 weeks’ extra supply of medication at all times, we would ask you not to build up any more than 1-month extra supply of medication. Once a medicine is delivered to your house it cannot be returned.

If you want to stop taking nintedanib for any reason, please discuss this with us. It can be safely stopped immediately.

We may also prevent further medication from being delivered at any point.

Is it safe to take nintedanib with other medications?

We will check nintedanib is safe to take with your regular medications before you start taking it. If you are prescribed any new medications you should check with the prescriber they are safe to take with nintedanib.

You should not take nintedanib if you are allergic to peanuts or soya.

It is safe to have pneumonia, COVID and annual flu vaccines with nintedanib.

How do I take my medication?

The usual dose of nintedanib is 150mg twice a day. Nintedanib should be taken twice a day, as near to 12 hours apart as possible. Take the medication with, or straight after food and swallow the capsule whole (do not chew or crush).

What if I get side effects from my medication?

Nintedanib can cause some side effects although many of these can be managed with the help of your ILD specialist team.

You should read the information provided to you and be aware of the potential side effects of the medications.

Common side effects

Diarrhoea

If you are experiencing diarrhoea ensure you are taking your medications as prescribed with or after a meal.

You can take an anti-diarrhoea medication called loperamide that can be purchased over the counter from your community pharmacy or in most supermarkets.

You should take 2 loperamide after the first episode of diarrhoea and 1 further dose after each episode of diarrhoea up to a maximum of 8 in a day. You might need to take loperamide regularly to control the side effects.

If loperamide is controlling your symptoms you should see your GP to have this added to your repeat prescription.

If loperamide is not helping control your symptoms please contact the ILD patient advice line on 0117 414 7762.

Sickness

If you are experiencing sickness ensure you are taking your medications as prescribed after food.

It is safe to take anti-sickness tablets with antifibrotics, please see your community pharmacist for advice.

Weight Loss

Some people find that they lose weight while on antifibrotic medication. It is a good idea to weigh yourself weekly to keep an eye on this.

If you are losing weight and are worried about this please contact your specialist centre for advice.

Uncommon side effects

Yellowing of skin or eyes
Excessive itching
Unexplained bruising or bleeding

Please contact the ILD service for advice more urgently if you experience these symptoms/signs.

Does nintedanib affect pregnancy?

Do not take nintedanib if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or might get pregnant. We do not know enough about the risk to the unborn child. Patients who could become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment and should use highly effective birth control at the start of treatment, during treatment, and for at least 3 months after their last dose.

Birth control pills may not work as well in those with diarrhoea or other problems that may reduce the drug absorption.

It is also not known whether nintedanib passes into breastmilk. We, therefore, advise that you do not breastfeed whilst taking this medication.

Contact details

If you need any further advice you can contact the ILD team on 0117 414 7762. This is an answering machine service; leave a message and someone will get back to you within 48 hours (except at the weekend/bank holidays).

If you prefer to use email you can also contact the team at ILD@nbt.nhs.uk.

If you feel suddenly unwell please contact your GP or access emergency care via 111, your local A&E or by dialling 999. Stop taking your medication straight away and contact your specialist centre.