Though there are currently no medicines proved to slow the progression of IPF and there is not quite enough information to support the use of the medicines that currently are used, there are three medicines available.
- Prednisone: an anti-inflammatory medicine that is usually taken by mouth everyday. It may also be given through a needle or a tube inserted into a vein in the arm for several days. However, prednisone can cause serious side effects and so may only be prescribed for 3-6 months at first.
- Azathioprine: suppresses the immune system that is also taken by mouth. Because of the serious side effects it can cause as well, it may be prescribed with prednisone for 3-6 months as well.
- N-acetylcysteine: an antioxidant that prevents lung damage, also usually taken by mouth. A common treatment is by giving all three however, this was recently proven harmful by the NHLBI.
Other treatments include:
- flu and pneumonia vaccines
- cough medicines or oral codeine
- Vitamin D, calcium, or a bone-building machine to help prevent bone loss if taking prednisone or another corticosteroid
- anti-reflux therapy may help gastroesophageal reflux disease
Pulmonary rehabilitation is also available such as:
- exercise training
- nutritional counseling
- education on lung disease or condition and how to manage it
- breathing strategies
- psychological counseling and/or group support (a website including a list of support groups: http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/life-with-pf/support-groups)
Finally, a lung transplant may be recommended if the condition is quickly worsening and/or severe. There are, however, major complications such as rejection and infection.
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References:
- What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis? (2011, September 20). Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ipf
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