Pirfenidone Coupons & Prices

Looking for a pirfenidone coupon? Pirfenidone (brand name Esbriet) is a generic-available antifibrotic medication prescribed for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and its price can vary widely from one pharmacy to the next — Rx.com compares 60,000+ pharmacies so you can see today's price and find the lowest one near you.

What is pirfenidone and how does it work?

Pirfenidone is an oral antifibrotic agent — a small-molecule drug that also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It was the first oral antifibrotic approved for lung disease and is FDA-approved to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in adults, a chronic condition in which scar tissue builds up in the lungs. Pirfenidone doesn't reverse existing scarring, but it's used to slow disease progression, as measured by a slower decline in lung function (forced vital capacity, or FVC). It was approved in the US in 2014, after earlier approvals in Japan and Europe, with China approving it as well. Researchers have also studied pirfenidone for other fibrotic conditions, such as other interstitial lung diseases or scarring of the skin or liver, but these uses are not FDA-approved and your provider would need to discuss any off-label use with you.

Pirfenidone cost without insurance

Pirfenidone is available as a generic, alongside the brand Esbriet, but that doesn't mean price is the same everywhere. Cash and discounted prices for the same drug and quantity can differ substantially from pharmacy to pharmacy, so it's worth comparing before you fill. Enter your ZIP code above to see today's price at pharmacies near you and find the lowest option. A copay savings program is also available for eligible patients using brand Esbriet — search for the official Esbriet copay program online for current terms, eligibility, and savings amounts, since these are set by the manufacturer and subject to change.

Pirfenidone vs. other IPF treatments

Pirfenidone is one of two FDA-approved oral antifibrotic medications for IPF. The other is nintedanib, sold under the brand name Ofev, which works through a different mechanism (blocking certain growth-factor receptor pathways) but is also used to slow FVC decline in IPF. If you're taking or considering brand Esbriet, you can also compare prices directly on the Esbriet page. Your pulmonologist can help you decide which antifibrotic, if either, fits your situation — the two are not typically used together.

Pirfenidone safety information

Pirfenidone does not carry an FDA boxed warning, but its label includes several important safety points. It can raise liver enzymes or, rarely, cause liver injury, so your provider should check liver function tests before you start and periodically during treatment. It can also cause photosensitivity reactions and rash, so limiting sun exposure, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen are recommended. Very common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, and vomiting; weight loss and dizziness or fatigue can also occur. Pirfenidone should not be used with strong CYP1A2 inhibitors such as fluvoxamine, and smoking should be stopped before and during treatment, since smoking can lower pirfenidone levels in the body. This is general information, not medical advice — talk with your provider about your full health history before starting or stopping this medication.