Effect of pirfenidone on gastric emptying in a rat model

Administration of pirfenidone 30 min after a meal as a single-bolus dose or a divided dose over a 90-min period blunted pirfenidone's effect on inhibition of gastric emptying in rats compared with pirfenidone administration as a single-bolus dose coincident with a meal. Decreased gastric emptying, which is associated with pirfenidone administration, may be one of the contributing factors leading to GI tolerability issues associated with pirfenidone use in humans. Modification of the dosing regimen diminished this impact and may provide insight into possible mitigation strategies to minimize GI-related toxicities in the clinic.