Managing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Which Drug for Which Patient?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease with high mortality. Two novel antifibrotic agents, pirfenidone and nintedanib, have received licences for use in IPF in recent years. Phase III, multinational, randomised control trials have provided evidence that both drugs reduce decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over time, while further post hoc studies have suggested that both pirfenidone and nintedanib can be efficacious, regardless of age and severity of baseline lung function. Both therapeutic agents have manageable side effect profiles. In the absence of head-to-head data, decisions regarding which agent to choose when starting treatment for IPF should take into consideration joint decision making between patients and clinicians based on accurate information in the decision-making process. Questions remain as to the role of combination antifibrotic therapy as a future treatment option.