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Is Perfenidone Suggestible For Pulmonary Fibrosis?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014
Question: My close friend has Pulmonary Fibrosis, which has worsened over the past 2 years that I've known him. His pulmonologist knows about the research in Europe and the treatment with Pirfenidone. His doctors say they can't order it as it hasn't been approved in this country. He can't afford to go to Europe for it. He's on continuous oxygen and still coughing a LOT. He has now developed Small cell Lung Cancer. His primary md and pulmunologist and doctors @ UCSan XXXXXXX are talking about treatment for the lung cancer but he's more concerned with the Fibrosis. Can this medicine be ordered from Mexico or Canada.?
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Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Ordered yes, but administered, no. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic. I'm so sorry to hear about your friends illness. From what I could find out Perfenidone is still in Phase III testing in the US. So that means the FDA hasn't signed off on it yet as being safe for use. As you of course know, that means that you can't buy the drug there. It also means that doctors can't use the drug on their patients, even if the patient brings it to them. At least they have no legal protection if they do. There are a few doctors who don't mind using existing drugs for "Off Label" uses, but you would be hard pressed to find someone who would legally document the use of a medication that is not approved for ANY usage in the the US. I'm so sorry, I wish I could give you better news. I know you have explored the option of getting treatment in Europe. But the drug is also cleared for use in Japan and India as well. Do you think he would consider traveling to either of these countries for treatment? Another option is to try and get him into a Perfendione trial. He may not fit the inclusion criteria, but sometimes they will let people join on compassionate grounds (very rare) Here is a study being done on the drug. Now they claim that the study is closed to new participants. But maybe if you contact them they may be able to help you out. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0000 I'm sort of shooting in the dark here. I hope this helps. Feel free to follow up and thanks again for coming to Healthcaremagic.com
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 544 Questions

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Is Perfenidone Suggestible For Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Brief Answer: Ordered yes, but administered, no. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic. I'm so sorry to hear about your friends illness. From what I could find out Perfenidone is still in Phase III testing in the US. So that means the FDA hasn't signed off on it yet as being safe for use. As you of course know, that means that you can't buy the drug there. It also means that doctors can't use the drug on their patients, even if the patient brings it to them. At least they have no legal protection if they do. There are a few doctors who don't mind using existing drugs for "Off Label" uses, but you would be hard pressed to find someone who would legally document the use of a medication that is not approved for ANY usage in the the US. I'm so sorry, I wish I could give you better news. I know you have explored the option of getting treatment in Europe. But the drug is also cleared for use in Japan and India as well. Do you think he would consider traveling to either of these countries for treatment? Another option is to try and get him into a Perfendione trial. He may not fit the inclusion criteria, but sometimes they will let people join on compassionate grounds (very rare) Here is a study being done on the drug. Now they claim that the study is closed to new participants. But maybe if you contact them they may be able to help you out. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0000 I'm sort of shooting in the dark here. I hope this helps. Feel free to follow up and thanks again for coming to Healthcaremagic.com