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Trikafta Coupon - Trikafta 84 tablets of 100mg/50mg/75mg carton

Trikafta

elexacaftor / tezacaftor / ivacaftor
Used for Cystic Fibrosis
Used for Cystic Fibrosis

Trikafta is a combination of 3 different medications (elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor), all known as cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators. Trikafta is used to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) in people ages 2 years and older. But it can only help if the CF is caused by certain genetic mutations. This medication is taken by mouth, typically twice daily. Some common side effects of Trikafta include headache, stomach pain, higher risk for respiratory infections (e.g., the common cold). Sometimes, it can also cause acne.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on October 11, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Trikafta?

What is Trikafta used for?

How Trikafta works

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by genetic changes (mutations) in the CFTR proteins. The mutations result in abnormal proteins that cause problems in different parts of the body, including mucus buildup in the lungs.

Trikafta is a combination of three medications that are all known as CFTR modulators. They act directly on the abnormal CFTR proteins so that they can work properly. As a result, this relieves some of the symptoms of CF.

Keep in mind that there are many different genetic changes that can cause CF. Trikafta can only treat CF that's caused by specific mutations.

Are you looking for information on Kalydeco (ivacaftor), Symdeko (tezacaftor / ivacaftor), or Orkambi (lumacaftor / ivacaftor) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsTrikafta
Drug ClassCFTR modulators
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Trikafta?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache (17%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (common cold, 16%)
  • Stomach pain (14%)
  • Diarrhea (13%)
  • Rash (10%)
  • Stuffy nose (9%)
  • Runny nose (8%)
  • Flu-like symptoms (7%)
  • Sinus infection (5%)

Other Side Effects

  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Pink eye
  • Sore throat
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Dizziness
  • Changes in menstrual periods
  • Skin reactions (acne, eczema, itching)
  • Higher blood pressure

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Liver damage: upper right stomach pain or discomfort, dark-colored urine, pale-colored stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes

Source: DailyMed

More on Trikafta side effects

Health: Trikafta: side effects trikafta 2

8 Trikafta Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Written by Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
  • Flu-like symptoms—fever, chills, muscle pain, cough, headache, fatigue
  • Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Trikafta

thumbs-up

Pros

Combination medication, so more convenient to take

Packaged as weekly "wallets" that make it clear which tablet you're supposed to take and when you're supposed to take them

Can be taken by children as young as 2 years old

thumbs-down

Cons

Only available as a brand medication

Taken twice daily

Need to take with high-fat meals, such as whole milk, yogurt, or cheese

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Trikafta

pharmacist

  • If you're taking Trikafta tablets, you must swallow the tablets whole. Don't chew, cut, or crush the tablets.

    • If your child is taking Trikafta granule packets, you can mix the granules with 1 teaspoon of soft foods or liquids before giving the medication to your child. Examples of soft foods or liquids include yogurt, applesauce, water, or juice.

      • You should take your morning and evening Trikafta doses about 12 hours apart. Set alarms, sticky notes, or other reminders for yourself to help remember to take it on time every 12 hours.

        • Always take Trikafta with foods high in fat, such as hardboiled eggs or yogurt made with whole milk, to help your body absorb the medication better.

          • Avoid foods or drinks with grapefruit, because these might raise the amount of Trikafta in your body.

            • Talk to your provider and pharmacist before starting, changing, or stopping any medications while taking Trikafta. This includes non-prescription medications and supplements as well. Trikafta can interact with certain medications, so it's important that your healthcare team knows about all the medications you take to make sure they're safe for you.

              More on Trikafta tips

              Health: Trikafta: pharmacy tips trikafta

              Should You Take Trikafta with Food? Plus, 5 Other Tips for Taking Trikafta

              Written by Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA
              trikafta: drug interaction trikafta

              10 Trikafta Interactions and How to Manage Them

              Written by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Trikafta

              Does Trikafta cure cystic fibrosis?
              No, Trikafta doesn't cure cystic fibrosis (CF); there's currently no cure for CF. Trikafta is made up of 3 medications (elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor) that target certain abnormal proteins that cause CF, so that these proteins can work properly again. This helps relieve certain symptoms of CF, like mucus buildup. Studies show that people who took Trikafta were able to breathe better compared to people who took placebo. In addition, people who took Trikafta experienced more improvements in CF symptoms such as cough, congestion, and wheezing, compared to people who didn't receive treatment.
              How long does it take for Trikafta to work?
              Studies show that people ages 12 years and older who took Trikafta noticed improvements in breathing in as early as 2 weeks. Their symptoms continued to get better after a month of treatment. And these improvements lasted until the end of the study, which was about 5 months. Keep in mind that not everyone experiences the same results with Trikafta. Talk with your provider if you're not sure whether Trikafta is working for you.
              Can you drink alcohol while taking Trikafta?
              Talk with your provider if you currently drink alcohol regularly. While Trikafta isn't known to interact with alcohol directly, drinking alcohol can worsen some of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis (CF). For examples, CF and drinking alcohol can cause damage to similar organs, including the liver, pancreas, and stomach. Your provider will likely recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol if you have CF. But if it's hard for you to cut out alcohol completely, ask your provider what's a safer limit to drink or talk with them about resources that can help you quit.
              How long do side effects of Trikafta last?
              Some of the most common side effects of Trikafta include headache, stomach pain, and diarrhea. There's limited information about how long these side effects last. But your provider might be able to recommend ways for you to manage those side effects, such as with rest, hydration, or pain or antidiarrheal medications. A rare, but potentially serious, side effect is liver damage. Sometimes, people with liver damage don't experience noticeable side effects, so your provider will check your liver health through labs before you start Trikafta and regularly during treatment. If your lab results suggest liver irritation or damage, your provider might ask you to stop taking this medication. Let your care team know right away if you have any symptoms of liver problems, including weakness, stomach pain, and yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.
              Does Trikafta cause depression?
              There are studies looking at how Trikafta might affect mood, including depression and anxiety, but results have been mixed. One study suggests that Trikafta might affect people's mental health, but those changes can be well-controlled with appropriate medications. Another study suggests that Trikafta might improve symptoms of depression in some people. A third study found that a small group of people experienced worsened anxiety, mood, and sleep issues after taking Trikafta, and that these symptoms improved after their provider lowered their dose of Trikafta. Talk with your provider if you're concerned about how taking Trikafta might affect your mental health.
              Does Trikafta cause weight gain?
              Reports show that Trikafta can cause weight gain, but more research is needed in this area. A small study showed that on average, people taking this medication for 3 months gained about 5.5 pounds compared to their body weight from 2 years earlier. This weight gain is made up of gain in fat as well as lean body mass. Because body composition (which takes into account proportion of fat and muscles in the body) can affect cystic fibrosis, it's important to have a conversation about what you might expect after starting Trikafta.
              What should I do if I miss my Trikafta dose?
              If less than 6 hours have passed since your missed morning or evening dose, go ahead and take your Trikafta dose with food (something fatty) as soon as possible. If more than 6 hours have passed since your missed morning dose, take your missed dose as soon as possible, but don't take your evening dose. Now, if more than 6 hours have passed since your missed evening dose, don't take your missed dose. Just take your next scheduled morning dose at the usual time (with some fatty food). Don't take the morning and evening doses at the same time.
              What are some examples of food high in fat that I should take with Trikafta?
              Butter on toast or bagels, peanut butter, eggs, avocados, and whole-milk dairy products (e.g., whole-milk, yogurt, cheese) are good examples of foods that are high in fat. These high-fat foods will help your body absorb Trikafta. You won't get as much medication in your system if you take it on an empty stomach or with a low-fat meal.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Trikafta?

              Trikafta can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Liver damage, including high liver test results

              • Risk factors: History of liver problems

                Trikafta can sometimes cause abnormally high liver test results. Your provider will check your liver before you start Trikafta, then every 3 months for the next year, and then every year after that. If you have a history of liver problems, your provider might check your liver labs more often.

                If you have severe liver disease, discuss with your provider about the risks and benefits of taking Trikafta, as this medication might cause worsening liver health. This can lead to liver failure that could require transplantation.

                While taking Trikafta, if you experience stomach pain, dark-colored urine, pale-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, get medical help right away.

                risk-warning

                Interactions with other medications

                Taking Trikafta along with certain medications can affect the amount of Trikafta in your body, how well it works, and the risk of side effects.

                Some medications, like the antibiotic, rifampin, and a common supplement, St. John's wort, can lower the amount of Trikafta in your body. This can make Trikafta not work as well.

                Other medications can raise the levels of Trikafta in your body. You'll also want to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking this medication, because grapefruit might cause you to have too much medication in your body as well. This can lead to a higher risk of side effects.

                Trikafta can also affect how other medications work, so tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications and supplements you're taking before starting Trikafta. They will make sure all your medications are safe for you to take.

                risk-warning

                Cataracts

                The ivacaftor in Trikafta can cause cataracts in children. Your child's provider will likely give your child an eye exam before starting the medication and throughout treatment.

                dosage

                Trikafta dosage forms

                Typical dosing for Trikafta

                Your provider will determine your dose of Trikafta based on your body weight and age. Trikafta comes as prepackaged blister cards with the exact doses that you need. The morning and evening doses are taken about 12 hours apart, with a high-fat meal or snack.

                Adults

                • Morning dose: Each tablet contains elexacaftor 100 mg, tezacaftor 50 mg, and ivacaftor 75 mg. The typical dose is to take 2 tablets by mouth every morning.

                • Evening dose: Each tablet contains ivacaftor 150 mg. The typical dose is to take 1 tablet by mouth every evening.

                Children
                Ages 6 to less than 12 years old

                • Weighing 30 kg or more: See adult dose.

                • Weighing less than 30 kg:

                  • Morning dose: Each tablet contains elexacaftor 50 mg, tezacaftor 25 mg, and ivacaftor 37.5 mg. The typical dose is to take 2 tablets by mouth every morning.

                  • Evening dose: Each tablet contains ivacaftor 75 mg. The typical dose is to take 1 tablet by mouth every evening.

                Ages 2 to less than 6 years old

                • Weighing 14 kg or more:

                  • Morning dose: Each packet contains elexacaftor 100 mg, tezacaftor 50 mg, and ivacaftor 75 mg. The typical dose is to dissolve 1 packet of granules with 1 teaspoon of soft foods and take by mouth every morning.

                  • Evening dose: Each packet contains ivacaftor 75 mg. The typical dose is to dissolve 1 packet of granules with 1 teaspoon of soft foods and take by mouth every evening.

                • Weighing less than 14 kg:

                  • Morning dose: Each packet contains elexacaftor 80 mg, tezacaftor 40 mg, and ivacaftor 60 mg. The typical dose is to dissolve 1 packet of granules with 1 teaspoon of soft foods and take by mouth every morning.

                  • Evening dose: Each packet contains ivacaftor 59.5 mg. The typical dose is to dissolve 1 packet of granules with 1 teaspoon of soft foods and take by mouth every evening.

                More on Trikafta dosage forms

                Health: Trikafta: closeup girl taking pill 1292278050

                Trikafta Dosages for Cystic Fibrosis: Your GoodRx Guide

                Written by Brian Leonard, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP
                alternatives

                What are alternatives to Trikafta?

                There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Trikafta. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                Trikafta
                Used for:
                View Prices
                Symdeko
                Used for:

                • Cystic fibrosis

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                Orkambi (lumacaftor / ivacaftor)
                Used for:

                • Cystic fibrosis

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                This medicine is Blue Carton Imprinted With "V 150".Blue V 150 - Trikafta 100mg-50mg-75mg / 150mg Tablet

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                References

                Best studies we found

                Gur, M., et al. (2023). Effect of Trikafta on bone density, body composition and exercise capacity in CF: A pilot study. Pediatric Pulmonology.

                Hudson, B. N., et al. (2022). Drug-induced acne with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in people with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis.

                Piehler, L., et al. (2023). Effects of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor therapy on mental health of patients with cystic fibrosis. Frontiers in Pharmacology.

                View All References (9)

                Soltman, S., et al. (2021). Body composition in individuals with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Clinical & Translational Endocrinology.

                Spoletini, G., et al. (2022). Dose adjustments of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in response to mental health side effects in adults with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis.

                Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. (n.d.). Am I eligible for Trikafta®?

                Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. (n.d.). How does Trikafta® work?

                Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. (n.d.). How to take Trikafta®?

                Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. (n.d.). Looking for fat-containing food ideas?

                Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. (2023). Trikafta- elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor kit [package insert]. DailyMed.

                Zaher, A., et al. (2021). A review of Trikafta: Triple cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy. Cureus.

                Zhang, L., et al. (2022). Impact of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor on depression and anxiety in cystic fibrosis. Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease.

                GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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