Ivacaftor and tezacaftor

Generic name: ivacaftor and tezacaftor [ EYE-va-KAF-tor-and-TEZ-a-KAF-tor ]
Brand names: Symdeko, Symdeko 4-Week
Dosage form: oral tablet (150 mg-100 mg and ivacaftor 150 mg; 75 mg-50 mg and ivacaftor 75 mg)
Drug class:CFTR combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 12, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is ivacaftor and tezacaftor?

Ivacaftor and tezacaftor is a combination medicine used to treat cystic fibrosis in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

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

Ivacaftor and tezacaftor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use ivacaftor and tezacaftor if you are allergic to ivacaftor or tezacaftor.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with ivacaftor and tezacaftor. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

• St. John's wort;

• seizure medicine--carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin; or

• tuberculosis medicine--rifabutin, rifampin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Ivacaftor and tezacaftor is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

How should I take ivacaftor and tezacaftor?

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

Ivacaftor and tezacaftor is supplied as two separate daily tablets. A yellow tablet is taken in the morning and a blue tablet is taken 12 hours later. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Always take this medicine with food that contains fat, such as butter, peanut butter, whole milk, cheese, yogurt, or cheese pizza. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function. Your blood pressure may also need to be checked often.

A child using this medicine may need frequent eye exams to check for cataracts.