Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for cf

by Nicolas Pacocha Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Treatments for cystic fibrosis
antibiotics to prevent and treat chest infections. medicines to make the mucus in the lungs thinner and easier to cough up. medicines to widen the airways and reduce inflammation. special techniques and devices to help clear mucus from the lungs.
Oct 28, 2021

Medication

Mar 24, 2022 · Medicines to treat cystic fibrosis include those used to maintain and improve lung function, fight infections, clear mucus and help breathing, and work on the faulty CFTR protein. Antibiotics prevent or treat lung infections and improve lung function. Your doctor may prescribe oral, inhaled, or intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

Procedures

Dec 23, 2020 · The inhaled antibiotics used for CF are aztreonam lysine, tobramycin inhalation powder/solution, inhaled colistin, liposomal amikacin, liposomal ciprofloxacin, and inhaled levofloxacin. 39, 40, 41, 42 Inhaled tobramycin and inhaled aztreonam are the two inhaled antibiotics with FDA approval. Liposomal amikacin was approved by the FDA in 2018. 43

Therapy

Some treatments attempt to loosen up the mucus from the lungs and thus decrease the frequency of lung infections. Treatment is broken up into medications, respiratory therapies, nutritional support, and exercise. Medications for cystic fibrosis include constant antibiotics, which can prevent and reduce the frequency of lung infections.

Nutrition

People with cystic fibrosis may need to take different medicines to treat and prevent lung problems. These may be swallowed, inhaled or injected. Medicines for lung problems include: antibiotics to prevent and treat chest infections; a combination of 3 medicines (Kaftrio) to treat the root cause of cystic fibrosis in people age 12 and over

See more

Jul 15, 2019 · Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is necessary to help a person with CF digest their food. This is because most people with CF have a condition known as pancreatic insufficiency. Enzymes come in capsule form as soon as the person with CF gets old enough to …

What are the best treatments for cystic fibrosis?

Aug 21, 2017 · Which of the following is an integral component of standard symptomatic treatment for cystic fibrosis? acetylcysteine. inhaled cortisone. respiratory therapy. vitamin C. beta-blockers. Question 10. What, in particular, must be checked in patients receiving mutation-specific treatment for cystic fibrosis? the digestion. the sleep-wake cycle. the heart rhythm

How much does cystic fibrosis treatment cost?

Digestive Treatments. Chest Physical Therapy (CPT) Exercise. Gene Therapy. Clinical Trials. Surgery. There’s no cure for cystic fibrosis (CF). But many treatments can …

What is the new treatment for cystic fibrosis?

Trikafta is the first approved treatment that is effective for cystic fibrosis patients 12 years and older with at least one F508del mutation, which affects 90% of the population with cystic...

What are treatment methods for cystic fibrosis patients?

when you have cystic fibrosis. By eating a high-calorie, high-fat diet, taking vitamins and mineral supplements, and staying fit, you can more. effectively manage your CF and stay healthy.

image

What is CF in medical terms?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary, multisystemic disease caused by different mutations in the CFTRgene encoding CF transmembrane conductance regulator. CF is mainly characterized by pulmonary dysfunction as a result of deterioration in the mucociliary clearance and anion transport of airways. Mortality is mostly caused by bronchiectasis, ...

What is CFTR in the body?

CFTR acts as a cAMP regulated chlorine channel in apical membranes, providing Na+and water transport from epithelial cells in many organs and glands.4CFTR dysfunction primarily affects epithelial cells and causes chronic microbial infection and subsequently airway inflammation. Mortality from CF is commonly caused by bronchiectasis, ...

Where is CFTR located?

CF is caused by different mutations in the CFTR gene encoding CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which regulates the mucociliary clearance and anion transport in airways.3The CFTR gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 7 and the CFTR protein product is 1,480 amino acids in length. CFTR acts as a cAMP regulated chlorine channel in ...

Is CFTR a heterogeneous disease?

Organoids. As CF is a genetically heterogeneous disease, currently available treatment options do not cover all CFTR mutations. Many of the known CFTR mutations are associated with a variety of disease expression and this complicates the estimation of individual disease phenotypes.

What is the first CFTR potentiator?

The first small molecule defined as a CFTR potentiator (potential enhancer) is ivacaftor, which was developed as VX-770 at first.69Ivacaftor facilitates the transport of chloride by enhancing the channel opening of the CFTR protein on the cell surface.

What is a tezacaftor?

Tezacaftor (VX-661) enhances the processing and transfer of CFTR proteins, including both normal and mutant ones (including ΔF508-CFTR), and thus increases the amount of protein reaching the cell surface. The tezacaftor/ivacaftor combination was approved by the FDA in 2018.

Is CF a hereditary disease?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary, multifactorial, multisystemic disease characterized by obstruction of airways, microbial infection, digestive disorders, and other complications. CF is known as the most common autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians.1. Although the incidence of disease varies greatly throughout the world, ...

What is the best treatment for cystic fibrosis?

bronchodilators to widen the airways and make breathing easier. steroid medicine to treat small growths inside the nose (nasal polyps) It's also important that people with cystic fibrosis are up-to-date with all routine vaccinations and have the flu jab each year once they're old enough.

How to clear mucus from lungs?

Exercise . Any kind of physical activity, like running, swimming or football, can help clear mucus from the lungs and improve physical strength and overall health. A physiotherapist can advise on the right exercises and activities for each individual.

How to avoid malnutrition?

A dietitian will advise on how to take in extra calories and nutrients to avoid malnutrition. They may recommend a high-calorie diet, vitamin and mineral supplements, and taking digestive enzyme capsules with food to help with digestion. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has more information on nutrition and eating well.

What is an airway clearance device?

airway clearance devices – handheld devices that use breathing techniques, vibration and air pressure to help remove mucus from the airways (for example, a positive expiratory pressure, or PEP, device) The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has more information on airway clearance techniques and physiotherapy.

Can cystic fibrosis be treated with a lung transplant?

In severe cases of cystic fibrosis, when the lungs stop working properly and all medical treatments have failed to help, a lung transplant may be recommended. A lung transplant is a serious operation that carries risks, but it can greatly improve the length and quality of life for people with severe cystic fibrosis.

Is there a cure for cystic fibrosis?

There's no cure for cystic fibrosis, but a range of treatments can help control the symptoms, prevent or reduce complications, and make the condition easier to live with. Regular appointments to monitor the condition are needed and a care plan will be set up based on the person's needs.

How to help CF?

Exercise. Among its many benefits for people with CF, exercise builds lung capacity, helps with airway clearance, builds strong bones, and strengthens the heart and breathing muscles. Dedication to daily exercise keeps people with CF healthier, longer.

How to help cystic fibrosis patients?

That’s why it’s important to find ways to manage stress. Yoga, meditation, exercise, hanging out with friends, and hobbies are all popular and effective ways to manage stress, anxiety, ...

How far away should you be from someone with cystic fibrosis?

The 6-foot rule. People with cystic fibrosis are especially vulnerable to lung infections carried by other people with CF. That is why it’s important for people with CF to keep a distance of 6 feet from others with CF from a different household.

Why do people with CF need extra calories?

But these can’t just be empty calories. Due to their gastrointestinal system not digesting food properly, a condition called malabsorption, people with CF need extra nutrition to prevent malnutrition and failure to thrive as children. 3

How much time do you spend on CF?

It varies by individual, but the average amount of time an adult with CF spends on their treatments (medications, enzymes, and airway clearance) is 108 minutes per day, regardless of the severity of their disease. Caregivers of children with CF report 74 minutes ...

What is airway clearance?

Airway clearance helps loosen the thick, sticky mucus that tends to clog the lungs of people with CF. The type of airway clearance technique (ACT) used varies by age and which method the person with CF prefers. Parents must perform ACTs for infants and toddlers, while older children and adults perform their own.

What to do if you have CF?

These might include: Sinus surgery: Many people with CF have inflamed or infected sinuses. Your doctor may need to remove nasal polyps (growths inside your nasal passages). They can also do a procedure called an “ endoscopy and lavage” that suctions mucus from your airways. This will make it easier for you to breathe.

How to help a lung infection?

They may also help reduce the number of lung infections you get. For instance, clapping or pounding on your chest and back helps loosen mucus so you can cough more of it out. You can do different types of ACTs at home with the help of a family member or friend. Or, you might prefer to use a medical device.

Is there a cure for cystic fibrosis?

There’s no cure for cystic fibrosis (CF). But many treatments can reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Here’s an overview of the most common.

What is Trikafta used for?

Food and Drug Administration today approved Trikafta (elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor), the first triple combination therapy available to treat patients with the most common cystic fibrosis mutation.

Is Trikafta an orphan drug?

Trikafta also received orphan drug designation, which provides incentives to assist and encourage the development of drugs for rare diseases. Drugs approved under expedited programs are held to the same approval standards as other FDA approvals. Because of Trikafta’s benefit to the cystic fibrosis community, the FDA reviewed ...

Is Trikafta approved for cystic fibrosis?

Trikafta is approved for patients 12 years and older with cystic fibrosis who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembra ne conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which is estimated to represent 90% of the cystic fibrosis population.

image

Diagnosis

Clinical Trials

Coping and Support

Preparing For Your Appointment

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Cystic fibrosis cannot be cured. Several treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and reduce complications. Though incurable, medications can help in managing symptoms.
Medication

Antibiotics: Given in the form of inhaled therapy to improve lung function by impeding growth of bacteria.

Tobramycin . Colistin . Aztreonam


Anti-inflammatory drugs: To prevent inflammation in the airway passage.

Ibuprofen


Mucus thinners: To help patients cough up mucus and improve lung function.

Acetylcysteine


Brochiodialators: To open up and relax muscles around the brochia (lungs).

Albuterol . Salmeterol

Procedures

Bronchoscopy and lavage: Mucus is suctioned from obstructed airways.

Bowel surgery: Blockage in the bowel requires surgery for removal.

Lung transplantation: Diseased lungs are replaced with a healthy lung from a donor.

Therapy

Breathing exercises:Techniques to help loosen mucus and improve breathing.

Chest physical therapy:To help loosen mucus. A common technique is clapping with cupped hands on the front and back of the chest.

Enzyme replacement therapy:Oral pancreatic enzymes such as lipase, protease, amylase to help in the absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract.

Oxygen therapy:If the blood oxygen level declines, doctor recommends breathing in pure oxygen to prevent high blood pressure in the lungs.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Protein: High Protein food like chicken, beef, eggs, fish and soy to prevent muscle loss
  • Zinc containing food like kidney beans, beef, spinach, liver, eggs and seafood for staving off infections
  • Salt: People with CF have saltier sweat. Salty snacks, pickles, and sports drinks can help replace the lost salt
  • Calcium: CF patients are at risk of osteoporosis and Calcium rich foods like dairy products must be taken
  • Iron: Iron rich foods like liver, tuna, lamb, seafood, eggs, beef, and turkey
  • Antioxidants: Fruits and vegetables
  • Fiber: High-Fiber foods such as breakfast cereal to help reduce the risk of intestinal blockages

Foods to eat avoid:

  • NA

Specialist to consult

Pulmonologist
Specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the respiratory system.
Gastroenterologist
Specializes in the digestive system and its disorders.
Pediatrician
Specializes in the health of children, including physical, behavioral, and mental health issues

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9