Ofev

Pronunciation: OH-fev
Generic name: nintedanib [ nin-TED-a-nib ]
Dosage form: capsules (150 mg, 100 mg)
Drug class: Multikinase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 11, 2024.

What is Ofev?

Ofev (nintedanib) is used to treat a lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), interstitial lung disease when lung fibrosis is worsening, and systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) to help slow the decline in lung function. Ofev capsules are taken twice daily.

Ofev is used in people with diseases that cause scar tissue (fibrosis) to form deep within the lungs. The scar tissue thickens and becomes stiff over time, making it harder for the lungs to work. Decreased lung function can make it hard to breathe. Other medical problems can occur when the brain, heart, and other organs do not get enough oxygen.

Ofev is not a cure for IPF or ILD, but this medicine can slow the effects of these diseases on your lungs.

Ofev mechanism of action is an inhibitor of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and non-receptor tyrosine kinases (nRTKs). Some of these kinases are involved in fibrotic tissue remodeling in interstitial lung diseases, so blocking the kinases helps slow lung disease progression.

Is Ofev chemotherapy? No, Ofev is not chemotherapy. Another brand of nintedanib called Vargatef is used for cancer and is a targeted therapy.

Ofev side effects

Common side effects

Common Ofev side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• stomach pain;
• diarrhea, weight loss;
• increased blood pressure;
• headache; or
• abnormal liver function tests.

Serious Ofev side effects 

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Ofev with symptoms of hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
• severe stomach pain, bloating, or tenderness;
• bleeding from your rectum or blood in your stools;
• easy bruising or bleeding, any wound that will not heal;
• fever, chills, cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• liver problems - stomach pain (upper right side), loss of appetite, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• signs of a stroke - sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Liver problems may be more likely in women, in people who weigh less than 143 pounds (65 kilograms), and in people of Asian descent.

Your doses may be delayed if you have certain side effects.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Ofev can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby. Avoid getting pregnant while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose. Use effective birth control, with an extra barrier method (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, contraceptive sponge).

Before taking this medicine

To make sure Ofev is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• heart problems;
• a blood clot;
• bleeding problems (in you or a family member);
• surgery on your stomach or intestines;
• diverticulitis;
• if you smoke; or
• if you take a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Nintedanib can cause birth defects or death in an unborn a baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

If you use hormonal birth control (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, or vaginal rings), also use a barrier form of birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking Ofev. Barrier forms include a condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge).

Ofev may affect fertility (your ability to have children) in women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because this medicine can harm an unborn baby.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Ofev is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Ofev?

Ofev is usually taken 2 times per day, every 12 hours. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using Ofev.

Take with food if you have no liver impairment and apart from food if you have mild hepatic impairment. Take capsules with a full glass of water.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Take your doses at regular intervals, usually every 12 hours.

Ofev can cause severe diarrhea, which can be life-threatening if it leads to dehydration. You may need to take medication to prevent or quickly treat diarrhea.

Your doctor may recommend you have an anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide (Imodium) available at all times while you are taking Ofev. Take the anti-diarrhea medicine as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Drink plenty of liquids and call your doctor at once if you have diarrhea while taking Ofev.

You will need frequent medical tests to be sure nintedanib is not causing harmful effects on your liver. Your next few doses may be delayed based on the results.

Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Ofev Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose (no hepatic impairment)

Recommended Ofev dose 150 mg orally every 12 hours apart from food. Maximum dose: 300 mg/day.

Usual Adult Dose (mild hepatic impairment)

Recommended dosage in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A): 100 mg taken orally twice daily, approximately 12 hours taken with food. 

Ofev is not recommended for use in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.

General Ofev dosing information

• Do not chew, crush, or open capsules. If you or your caregiver accidentally comes in contact with the content of the capsule, wash your hands well right away.
• Consider temporary dose reduction to 100 mg, treatment interruption, or discontinuation for management of adverse reactions.
• Conduct liver function tests before starting therapy.
• Conduct a pregnancy test in females of reproductive potential before starting therapy.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not take more than 300 milligrams of nintedanib in one day.

What to avoid

Smoking can make Ofev less effective. Avoid smoking while taking this medicine, or try to quit before you start this treatment.

Avoid taking an herbal supplement containing St. John's wort.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with nintedanib may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

What other drugs will affect Ofev?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may interact with nintedanib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: nintedanib

Inactive ingredients: Fill Material: triglycerides, hard fat, lecithin. Capsule Shell: gelatin, glycerol, titanium dioxide, red ferric oxide, yellow ferric oxide, black ink.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Keep capsules dry and protect from high heat. 

Company

Distributed by: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ridgefield, CT 06877 USA 

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Further information

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