Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Mar 2013
Meta Analysis[Clinical experience with pirfenidone for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease with an estimated median survival of only 3 years after diagnosis. Pirfenidone is the only medication approved in the European Union for the treatment of adults with mild to moderate lung fibrosis. We analyzed data on safety and efficacy of pirfenidone in the treatment of patients with IPF in our centre. ⋯ Pirfenidone alone or in combination with NAC and/or corticosteroids was generally well tolerated. Severe side effects were rare. The course of the disease was stable during treatment with pirfenidone in two out of three patients. Our results are in line with the previous published safety and efficacy data on pirfenidone as treatment for IPF.