Suggest Treatment For Pulmonary Fibrosis And Worsened Breathing

Posted on Wed, 7 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 7 Oct 2015 Answered on

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has pulmonary fibrosis. His brother just passed last week with same disease.It's a fast moving fatal disease. The FDA recently passed a medicine,Esbriet,to retard this spreading. There is NO cure. He has had all the tests required for taking this pill and passed them. Our insurance does cover Esbriet but turned him down. His pulmonary specialist Dr. of Mass General Hosp XXXXXXX has left us helpless, hopeless, and bewildered. His breathing is worsening by the day .He cannot take oxygen due to underlying heart condition. I don't know what else I can do to help him. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. Time is of the essence. Thank you in advance. Most sincerely, XXXXXXX Fowlie'

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Perfinodone has role in early IPF.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your husband's situation and problem.
Esbreit is having perfinodone.
It is TNF alpha antagonist.
By this action it is considered as anti fibrotic agent.
But it has proven significant role only in early stages of IPF (idiopathic Pulmonary fibrosis).
It has no role in end stage fibrosis with honeycombing.
Honestly speaking, there is no cure of IPF.
We doctors consider IPF as orphan disease.
Nothing can cure it.
Oxygen therapy, n acetyl cysteine (NAC) and perfinodone are given.
But these drugs don't improve prognosis and outcome.
So you can give him 24 hour oxygen and NAC along with perfinodone.
Oxygen is must, so you have to give it by any means.
Please let me know
1. Is he having end stage fibrosis?
2. Since how many years, he is suffering from this?
3. Have you ever tried NAC?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar