Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is Symdeko.  It is a combination of two medicines that are used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis or 'CF'.  It can help improve your breathing and reduce symptoms of 'CF' like coughing, difficulty breathing and mucus production.

Symdeko comes with 2 pills that should be taken every day. There will be one yellow pill and one blue pill. Take the yellow pill in the morning and take the blue pill in the evening.  You should space your dose about 12 hours apart. Also, take them with fat-containing foods, like eggs, peanut butter, cheese pizza, or dairy products.  You should take it exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Most people tolerate this medicine well.  Common side effects include headache, nausea and sinus congestion.  These are normal if they are mild and should go away.  Also, you may feel dizzy.  You should wait until you know how this medicine affects you doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving.   If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

As with any medicine, more serious side effects can occur. With Symdeko, this includes problems with your liver and eyes.  You should read the Patient Information sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report them.  To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely.

Drug interactions can occur. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other medicines, even if they do not require a prescription.  You should not eat grapefruit or Seville oranges, and do not drink their fruit juices.

Women should talk to their doctors before becoming pregnant or breastfeeding.

For best results, you should plan ahead for refills.  Also, work closely with your doctor and ask about available support services for people living with CF.