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Ofev for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): How does it work? What is it? Is it safe? What's the science behind it? Dosage? Side effects? Research studies? Evidence?

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease which progresses over time. It is characterized by thickening of the lung tissue without a known cause, and eventually leads to scarring (fibrosis) of the tissue. Scarring of the lung results in stiffness of the organ, which reduces the ability of the lung to expand and contract, causing impaired oxygen transfer from the lungs to the bloodstream. IPF presents in various ways in patients, for example, it can be seen through breath shortness, clubbing of the fingers, dry cough which never gets resolved, fatigue, and sometimes even unexplained weight loss. The disease tends to affect older individuals and has a vast impact on the quality of life for its patients. 

Ofev, is one of the most common medications administered when someone suffers from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) which targets multiple pathways involved in the process of scarring. In fact, it works specifically by inhibiting 3 main factors: platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). When it blocks the pathways for these growths, Ofev causes significant improvements in patients and reducing their symptoms.

The medication is administered orally in capsular forms: its dosage is 150mg twice daily (ideally in the morning and in the night) and taken after a meal. However, the dosage thereof is highly variable based on the condition of the patient's scar tissue, since any exceeding of the recommended dose can have hugely significant side effects. These side effects include: gastrointestinal effects (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc.), elevated liver enzymes, decreased appetite and weight loss, headaches, and even high blood pressure. Because of these side effects, the medication is considered dangerous and risky for patients who are pregnant or are about to be pregnant, and people who have hepatic impairments.

The use of Ofev is greatly supported by medical research. For example, the INUPLSIS trial, was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 1,066 patients conducted in the past: they found that Ofev significantly reduced the RATE at which forced vital capacity (FVC (a measure of lung health)) decreased. Thus, it was established that Ofev heavily slowed down the rate at which lung tissue degraded. 

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