Ofev is a treatment option for lung diseases, if you have a certain kind.

Ofev is a prescription medication that is used to treat a number of conditions in adults.

nintedanib is the active ingredient in Ofev. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Ofev is a capsule that you swallow.

For more information about Ofev, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Ofev can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

“Some people may experience side effects from taking Ofev. Ofev’s side effects are reported.”

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

This list doesn\’t include all of the side effects of Ofev. There are two side effects of Ofev that are contained in the “mild side effects” and “serious side effects” section.

Ofev can cause side effects. Mild side effects have been reported with Ofev.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop using Ofev.”

Ofev may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Ofev prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ofev, visit MedWatch.

There are serious side effects that can occur with Ofev treatment.

There have been serious side effects reported with Ofev.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Ofev, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Ofev. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Get answers to questions about Ofev.

Do Ofev’s side effects vary depending on the capsule strength (100 mg or 150 mg)?

Possibly. But in studies of the drug, researchers didn’t compare side effects of the two strengths.

“The recommended daily dose of Ofev is 150 milligrams. If you develop side effects with this dosage, your doctor may reduce your dose to 100. If your symptoms don’t improve, you may have to stop your treatment. Unless your doctor recommends it, you should not change your dosage or stop taking Ofev.”

If you have questions about the side effects of your current medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

How do the side effects of Ofev and Esbriet compare?

Both Ofev and Esbriet (pirfenidone) are used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (scarring in the lungs with no known cause) in adults.

Mild side effects of these drugs include nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. They can cause serious side effects, such as damage to the liver. Some of their side effects are different.

Doctors sometimes prescribe Ofev along with Esbriet to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In a study of people taking these drugs together, the side effects were similar to those seen when either drug is taken alone. More common side effects in this study included diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

You can learn more about the side effects of Esbriet by talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there foods that raise my risk of side effects from Ofev?

It’s possible. Although there aren’t foods known to interact with Ofev, the drug can cause digestive side effects. These may include diarrhea, Nausea and vomiting., and There is There is belly pain… Foods that also cause these symptoms may raise your risk of digestive side effects with Ofev.

Some people may have side effects from spicy or greasy foods. If this applies to you, you should eat these foods while taking Ofev.

If you are concerned about your diet raising your risk of side effects from Ofev, talk to your doctor. They may be able to help you identify foods that are triggering.

Some of the side effects of Ofev may be discussed.

Hair loss

Some people may experience hair loss from Ofev. But in studies, hair loss was one of the more rare side effects reported in people taking Ofev.

In rare cases, Ofev can also cause low levels of hormones., which can cause hair loss.

What might help

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about hair loss while taking Ofev. Your doctor may want to check your thyroid levels. If they’re low, your doctor may prescribe a drug such as Synthroid (levothyroxine). Treating low thyroid hormone levels can also treat your hair loss.

If your hair loss is not caused by the problem with the Thyroid, your doctor may suggest other options.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was the most common side effect reported in Ofev’s studies. Diarrhea caused by Ofev may be mild or serious, but most cases tend to be mild.

During the first 3 months of treatment, diarrhea is the most common occurrence.

Some people had to take a lower dose of Ofev due to scurvy. People stop their Ofev treatment due to scurvy.

What might help

Let your doctor know right away if you have diarrhea while taking Ofev. Your doctor will likely first recommend drinking plenty of water and taking a medication such as Imodium (loperamide).

“If your scurvy doesn’t go away or if it gets worse, your doctor will likely lower your Ofev dose to see if it helps.”

“If you have severe scurvy that doesn’t go away even with treatment, your doctor will recommend that you stop taking Ofev.”

If you are concerned about having a bad experience during your Ofev treatment, talk to your doctor.

Liver damage

In rare cases, serious liver damage occurred in studies of people taking Ofev. Since its approval, fatal cases of liver damage have been reported in people who took the drug. But the risk of developing liver problems while taking Ofev isn’t known. If you’re concerned about your risk of liver damage with Ofev, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.

The most likely time for a problem to occur is during the first 3 months of taking the drug. This side effect can happen at any time during your treatment.

Some people may have a higher risk of side effects from taking Ofev. This includes:

  • People who weigh less than 65 kilograms.
  • The females are.
  • People of Asian descent.
  • Adults are 65 years old.

There are symptoms of liver damage.

  • jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)
  • There is confusion.
  • fatigue is low energy
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are all symptoms.
  • The stool is pale or bloody.
  • Dark or tea colored urine can be found.
  • There is pain on the right side of your body.

Doctors will not prescribe Ofev to people with moderate to severe liver problems. They usually prescribe a lower dosage for people with mild problems.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

What might help

Before and during your Ofev treatment, you’ll have certain blood tests done to monitor your liver health. These tests check the levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin in your blood. High levels of liver enzymes or bilirubin can be a sign of liver problems.

If you notice symptoms of damage to the bile duct, call your doctor. Your doctor may lower your Ofev dosage if you have symptoms or test results. They may have you stop taking Ofev and switch to a different treatment.

Holes or tears in your stomach or intestines

Although it isn’t common, taking Ofev may cause holes or tears in the stomach or intestines. Symptoms can include:

  • There is pain in your belly.
  • “It’s cold.”
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • There is a high degree of fever.

What might help

If you have any of the symptoms listed, you should call your doctor. Your doctor will likely order an X-ray or a computed tomographic (CT) Scan to check your stomach and intestines. They may recommend surgery to fix the holes. If the holes or tears have healed on their own, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent infections.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Ofev can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions weren’t reported in Ofev’s studies. But symptoms of There is a skin rash. and itching have been reported since the drug was approved for use. These can be symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms you have an allergic reaction to Ofev, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Ofev, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your Ofev treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Ofev affects you. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

If you have certain medical conditions, Ofev may not be right for you. These are drug-condition interactions. Other factors may affect whether Ofev is a good option for you.

Before starting Ofev, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Heart problems. Ofev can cause high blood pressure and A heart attack.. If you have heart problems (such as heart disease), you may have a higher risk of these side effects while taking Ofev. Due to this risk, doctors are cautious about prescribing Ofev to people with heart problems. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Ofev with you.

Liver problems. In rare cases, Ofev can cause liver damage. If you already have liver problems (such as alcoholic liver disease), taking Ofev may worsen your condition. Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe Ofev to people with moderate or severe liver problems. People with mild liver problems can usually take a lower dose of Ofev. Your doctor can tell you more about how severe your liver problems are and whether it’s safe for you to take Ofev.

History of blood clots. In rare cases, Ofev can cause blood clots in your arteries. You may have a higher risk of this side effect if you’ve had blood clots in the past. Your doctor can tell you more about the risks and benefits of taking Ofev.

Bleeding problems. Bleeding, including There was a lot of bleeding., has happened in people taking Ofev. If you or an immediate family member have a bleeding problem (such as hemophilia), Ofev may not be safe for you to take. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your treatment options.

Smoking tobacco. Smoking tobacco may cause your body to not absorb Ofev as well. This can make the drug less effective at treating your condition. You should avoid smoking while using Ofev. For resources that could help you quit smoking before you take Ofev, talk with your doctor.

Recent abdominal surgery. In rare cases, Ofev can cause holes or tears in your stomach or intestines. If you’ve recently had abdominal surgery, you have a higher risk for this side effect. Your doctor can tell you when it may be safe for you to begin taking Ofev based on the date and type of surgery.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ofev or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Ofev. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol and Ofev

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Ofev. Both alcohol and Ofev can cause side effects. The risk of these side effects can be raised by drinking alcohol during Ofev treatment. It can make certain side effects more severe.

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much you should drink while taking Ofev.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Ofev

Ofev is not a good choice for pregnant women because it may cause harm to the fetus.

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will have you take a pregnancy test before prescribing Ofev for you. They’ll also recommend that you use birth control while taking the drug and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

It is not recommended to breastfeeding while taking Ofev. It is not known if Ofev is safe to use while breastfeeding. It is not known if the drug passes into breast milk or if it could cause side effects in a child.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Mild or serious side effects that Ofev may cause are described in the sections above.

“If you are considering treatment with Ofev, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Asking about Ofev’s side effects can help you decide if it’s right for you. Some questions to get started are included.”

  • Is Ofev different from other medications used to treat my condition?
  • Will taking Ofev weaken my immune system?
  • Is there a lower dose I can try if I have side effects from Ofev?

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.