Alyftrek (Vanzacaftor, Tezacaftor And Deutivacaftor)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Alyftrek Used For?
Alyftrek is a specialized medication designed to treat cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that affects the lungs and other organs.
Primary Uses
Alyftrek is used to treat cystic fibrosis in patients aged 6 years and older who have at least one mutation in the CFTR gene that responds to this treatment. It helps improve breathing and lung function, may reduce how often you get sick, and can make it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
How It Works
Alyftrek contains three active ingredients that work together as CFTR modulators. Vanzacaftor and tezacaftor are ‘CFTR correctors’ that increase the amount of CFTR protein at the cell surface. Deutivacaftor is a ‘CFTR potentiator’ that helps the CFTR protein work better once it reaches the cell surface. This combination improves the flow of chloride and water in patients with cystic fibrosis, helping to thin the thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs.
Good to know: This medicine is new and being used differently, so reporting any side effects helps improve safety information for all patients.
How to Take Alyftrek
Alyftrek should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day with fat-containing food.
Dosage Instructions
For patients aged 6 to less than 12 years weighing 40 kg or more, or patients aged 12 years and older: Take two purple tablets stamped with ‘V10’ once daily. For patients aged 6 to less than 12 years weighing less than 40 kg: Take three purple tablets stamped with ‘V4’ once daily. Swallow tablets whole – do not break, chew, or dissolve them. Take with fat-containing foods like those prepared with butter or oils, or containing eggs, peanut butter, cheese, nuts, whole milk, or meat.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If less than 6 hours have passed since you missed a dose: take the missed dose as soon as possible, then continue taking Alyftrek at the usual time the next day. If more than 6 hours have passed since you missed a dose: skip the dose and continue taking Alyftrek at the usual time the next day.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Always take with fat-containing food and avoid grapefruit.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Rash
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Increased liver enzymes
- Significant pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach area
- Yellowing of skin or the white parts of eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dark urine
Important Warnings
Before taking Alyftrek, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Alyftrek
Do not use Alyftrek if you are allergic to vanzacaftor, tezacaftor, deutivacaftor, or any other ingredients in the medication. Do not give to children under 6 years of age as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or have had liver problems in the past, kidney disease or have had kidney problems in the past, or if you have taken another medicine with tezacaftor or ivacaftor before that was stopped due to side effects. Your doctor will perform blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. It is unknown whether Alyftrek is excreted in breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed before taking Alyftrek.
Liver Monitoring Required: Your doctor will monitor your liver function with blood tests, especially if you have had high liver enzymes in the past.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Alyftrek and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid food or drinks containing grapefruit as this may increase side effects by increasing the amount of Alyftrek in your body.
- Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole)
- Antibiotic medicines (telithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifampicin, rifabutin)
- Anticonvulsant medicines (phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin)
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Immunosuppressants (ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus, tacrolimus)
- Cardiac glycosides (digoxin)
- Anticoagulants (warfarin)
- Diabetes medicines (glimepiride, glipizide)
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines (pitavastatin)
- Blood pressure medicines (verapamil)
Alcohol & Driving
Alyftrek is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Alyftrek is not expected to affect the ability to drive or use machines.
Storage
Store Alyftrek below 30°C in the original container. Keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Alyftrek, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alyftrek helps improve breathing by improving lung function. You may notice that you don’t get sick as often and that it’s easier to maintain a healthy weight, though the timeline for these improvements may vary between patients.
Yes, Alyftrek must be taken with fat-containing food. Examples include foods prepared with butter or oils, or those containing eggs, peanut butter, cheese, nuts, whole milk, or meat.
If less than 6 hours have passed since you missed a dose, take it as soon as possible. If more than 6 hours have passed, skip the dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Never take a double dose.
The medication information does not specifically mention alcohol interactions, but you should discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor, especially since you should avoid grapefruit products.
Your doctor will perform blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment with Alyftrek, particularly if you have had high liver enzymes in the past, as increased liver enzymes can occur in some patients.
No, do not stop using Alyftrek or change the dose without checking with your doctor first. It’s important to continue taking it as prescribed to maintain its benefits for your cystic fibrosis.
Grapefruit can increase the side effects of Alyftrek by increasing the amount of the medication in your body. Avoid all food and drinks containing grapefruit during treatment.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.