How does Symdeko work?

Symdeko contains ivacaftor and tezacaftor. Ivacaftor allows the defective CFTR protein to work better, improving the exchange of chloride ions across cell membranes within the airways. Tezacaftor moves the defective CFTR protein to the cell membrane so that it can facilitate the transfer of chloride ions across the membrane. Ivacaftor boost the function of the defective CFTR protein and tezacaftor corrects its location. This combined approach helps maintain a good balance of salt and water within the lungs and provides superior treatment compared to either drug alone.

Symdeko consists of 2 different tablets. A yellow tablet that contains both ivacaftor and tezacaftor which is taken once daily in the morning, and a blue tablet containing only ivacaftor that is taken 12 hours later in the evening. Two different strengths of Symdeko are available.

Symdeko needs to be taken with food that contains fat, such as butter, cheese pizza, eggs, peanut butter, or whole-milk dairy products.

Symdeko was approved in February 2018, the third disease-modifying medicine to become available for the treatment of adults and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) over the age of six. Symdeko is suitable for people with CF who have two copies of the F508del mutation, or with at least one mutation that responds to treatment with Symdeko.