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Overview: Alyftrek is taken to treat certain people with cystic fibrosis. Common side effects include cough, headache, and infections of the nose or throat. It is important to keep all appointments, including lab work appointments, while you are taking Alyftrek. Notify your healthcare provider right away if you have changes in your vision or a decreased appetite.

Uses

What is Alyftrek used for?

Alyftrek (vanzacaftor/tezacaftor/deutivacaftor) is commonly taken to treat certain people with cystic fibrosis, which is a genetic condition that changes the way salt moves through your body. Cystic Fibrosis can affect your lungs, pancreas, and other organs.

Learn more about Treating Cystic Fibrosis With Alyftrek.

Alyftrek may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Alyftrek work (mechanism of action)?

Alyftrek is a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator. In patients with cystic fibrosis, the CFTR protein does not work normally. Alyfrek has three different medicines in it. Vanzacaftor and tezacaftor connect to different sites on the CFTR protein to help the CFTR protein reach the surface of cells. Deutivacaftor helps CFTR proteins to work better once they are at the surface. Thus, Alyftrek improves the movement of salt in your body to treat certain people with cystic fibrosis. Your healthcare provider can do a test to see if Alyftrek is a good option for you. 

How is Alyftrek supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Alyftrek

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 4 mg/20 mg/50 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg/50 mg/125 mg oral tablets

How should I store Alyftrek?

Alyftrek should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Alyftrek?

The most common side effects of Alyftrek are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Cough
  • Infection of the nose or throat, sore throat, or sinus infection or common cold symptoms
  • Headache
  • Mouth or throat pain
  • Flu
  • Tiredness
  • Increased liver enzymes
  • Rash

There may be other side effects of Alyftrek that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Alyftrek?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Alyftrek are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Alyftrek may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Alyftrek and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Alyftrek. Keep all appointments to have labs checked while you are taking Alyftrek. Stop taking Alyftrek and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Swollen belly
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
  • Confusion

Eye Problems. Alyftrek may cause cataracts (clouding of the eye lens) in people 18 years of age or younger. It is important to have regular eye exams before and while taking Alyftrek. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Loss of vision or vision changes
  • Vision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy
  • Changes in the way you see color
  • Problems driving at night (glare from oncoming headlights, for example)
  • Problems with glare during the day
  • Double vision

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Alyftrek?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Alyftrek.

  • Vanzacaftor
  • Tezacaftor
  • Deutivacaftor
  • Alyftrek
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Alyftrek.

What should I know about Alyftrek before using it?

Do not take Alyftrek unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Alyftrek with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Alyftrek out of the reach of children.

Do not crush, chew, or break Alyftrek tablets. Swallow them whole around the same time each day.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Alyftrek?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Alyftrek is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Have or had liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Had to pause or stop taking a medicine with elexacaftor, tezacaftor, or ivacaftor because of side effects

Other Medicines and Supplements. Alyftrek may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Alyftrek, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Alyftrek could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Alyftrek passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Alyftrek while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Alyftrek?

For more information about Alyftrek, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.alyftrek.com or call them at 877-752-5933.

Interactions

Does Alyftrek interact with foods or drinks?

You should take Alyftrek with fatty foods, such as eggs, peanut butter, cheese, nuts, whole milk, meats, or foods made with butter or oil. Fatty foods help you get high enough blood levels of Alyftrek for it to work well.

You should avoid eating or drinking foods that have grapefruit or grapefruit juice in them while you are taking Alyftrek. Grapefruit could increase Alyftrek blood levels and increase side effects. 

Does Alyftrek interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Alyftrek.

  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Ketoconazole or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others) or clarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Alyftrek, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Alyftrek. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Alyftrek?

If you or someone else has taken too much Alyftrek, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Alyftrek?

If you miss a dose and it is within six hours of when you should have taken it, take it (with food that has fat in it) as soon as you remember. If it is more than six hours from when you should have taken it, skip the missed dose. Either way, take the next dose when you normally would. Do not take double or extra doses.