Elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor

Generic name: elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor [ el-EX-a-KAF-tor, EYE-va-KAF-tor, and-TEZ-a-KAF-tor ]
Brand name: Trikafta
Dosage forms: oral granule (100 mg-75 mg-50 mg and ivacaftor 75 mg; 80 mg-60 mg-40 mg and ivacaftor 59.5 mg), ... show all 2 dosage forms oral tablet (100 mg-75 mg-50 mg and ivacaftor 150 mg; 50 mg-37.5 mg-25 mg and ivacaftor 75 mg)
Drug class: CFTR combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 1, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor?

Elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor is a combination medicine used to treat cystic fibrosis in adults and children at least 2 years old.

elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor is for use only in patients with a specific gene mutation related to cystic fibrosis. You may need a medical test to make sure you have this gene mutation.

Elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• vision changes; or

• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor may include:

• headache;

• diarrhea, stomach pain;

• rash;

• abnormal lab tests;

• flu symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches; or

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat.

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.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Before taking this medicine

Some drugs should not be used with this medicine. Your treatment plan may change if you also use:

• rifabutin or rifampin;

• St. John's wort; or

• seizure medicine such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• an allergy to any medication;

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

This medicine is usually taken twice per day, in the morning and in the evening (about 12 hours apart).

Always take this medicine with food that contains fat, such as butter, peanut butter, eggs, nuts, meat, whole milk, cheese, or yogurt.

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

Mix the granules with one teaspoon (5 mL) of soft food or liquid that is at room temperature such as pureed fruits or vegetables, yogurt, applesauce, water, juice, or milk and take at once within one hour.

Doses are based on weight in children and teenagers less than 12 years old. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Your dose may change if you also take certain other medications. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice.

You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

A child using this medicine may need an eye exam before and after starting this treatment to check for cataracts.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but do not take two doses at one time.

If you are more than 6 hours late in taking the morning dose, take them as soon as you can but skip taking the evening dose for that day.

If you are more than 6 hours late in taking the evening dose, skip that missed dose and take the morning dose at the regular time the next day.

Be sure to take a missed dose with a food that contains fat.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while taking elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Grapefruit may interact with this medicine and cause side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.

What other drugs will affect elexacaftor, ivacaftor, and tezacaftor?

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

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• an antibiotic--clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin; or

• antifungal medicine--fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect this medicine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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