Symdeko

Symdeko is a prescription medication used to cystic fibrosis (CF). It comes packaged with a single tablet containing 2 drugs (tezacaftor and ivacaftor) that is taken in the morning, and another single tablet containing only ivacaftor that is taken in the evening.

Symdeko belongs to a group of drugs called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene modulators. These help to treat CF in patients with the most common mutation, the F508del mutation, or another mutation in the CFTR gene. Tezacaftor increases the amount of normal CFTR protein the body can use, while ivacaftor allows the CFTR protein to work correctly. 

This medication comes in a tablet form that is copackaged with yellow tezacaftor/ivacaftor combination tablets and light blue ivacaftor tablets. The yellow (tezacaftor/ivacaftor combination) tablet is taken in the morning and the light blue (ivacaftor) tablet is taken about 12 hours later, in the evening. Both tablets should be taken with foods that contain fat. 

Common side effects of Symdeko include headache, nausea, sinus congestion ("stuffy nose") and dizziness.

Symdeko can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Symdeko affects you.