How Does TRIKAFTA® Work?

People with CF pictured
may or may not be
taking TRIKAFTA.

See How TRIKAFTA Works

Watch how the 3 components of TRIKAFTA work together to target the underlying cause. 

See How TRIKAFTA Works

Watch how the 3 components of TRIKAFTA work together to target the underlying cause. 

View Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, for TRIKAFTA.

See How TRIKAFTA Works

Watch how the 3 components of TRIKAFTA work together to target the underlying cause. 

The Underlying Cause

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF gene. These mutations lead to defects in a specific protein called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. As a result of these defects, the CFTR proteins don’t work the way they should.

CF gene mutations cause one or both defects illustrated below:

Defects in CFTR proteins in people with CF
Defect 1: Fewer CFTR proteins get to the cell surface, where they are normally located
Defect 2: CFTR proteins don't open up if they do reach the cell surface

Because of these defects, chloride ions cannot move into or out of the cells like they should. This can cause thick, sticky mucus to build up in organs, such as the lungs.

TRIKAFTA: Three Components That Work Together to Target the Underlying Cause

What is known about how TRIKAFTA works was learned from studies conducted in a laboratory. Keep in mind that results from laboratory studies do not always match how these medicines work in a person. If you have questions about your treatment, speak with your healthcare provider.

TRIKAFTA adds elexacaftor to tezacaftor and ivacaftor to target CFTR protein defects caused by the F508del mutation or another mutation responsive to TRIKAFTA.

Mechanism of action of TRIKAFTA
Mechanism of action of TRIKAFTA

Together, the 3 components help responsive CFTR proteins function better.

Leah, age 14

F508del/F508del

Keep Learning About TRIKAFTA

People with CF pictured may or may not be taking TRIKAFTA.

See the study results
Check your eligibility

What is Trikafta? 

 

What is TRIKAFTA® (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor)?

TRIKAFTA is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients aged 6 years and older who have at least one copy of the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene or another mutation that is responsive to treatment with TRIKAFTA.

Talk to your doctor to learn if you have an indicated CF gene mutation.

It is not known if TRIKAFTA is safe and effective in children under 6 years of age.

Important safety information  

Important Safety Information

Do not take TRIKAFTA if you take certain medicines such as:

  • antibiotics such as rifampin (RIFAMATE®, RIFATER®) or rifabutin (MYCOBUTIN®)
  • seizure medicines such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine (TEGRETOL®, CARBATROL®, EQUETRO®), or phenytoin (DILANTIN®, PHENYTEK®)
  • St. John’s wort

Talk to your doctor before taking TRIKAFTA if you take any of the medicines or herbal supplements listed above.

Before taking TRIKAFTA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney problems
  • have or have had liver problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRIKAFTA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if TRIKAFTA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are breastfeeding

TRIKAFTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TRIKAFTA works.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The dose of TRIKAFTA may need to be adjusted when taken with certain medicines.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure. Make sure the list includes medicines from all your pharmacies, if you have more than one. 

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • antifungal medicines including ketoconazole (such as NIZORAL®), itraconazole (such as SPORANOX®), posaconazole (such as NOXAFIL®), voriconazole (such as VFEND®), or fluconazole (such as DIFLUCAN®)
  • antibiotics including telithromycin (such as KETEK®), clarithromycin (such as BIAXIN®), or erythromycin (such as ERY-TAB®)
  • other medicines including rifampin, rifabutin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St. John’s wort

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking TRIKAFTA?

  • TRIKAFTA can cause dizziness in some people who take it. Do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert until you know how TRIKAFTA affects you
  • Avoid food or drink that contains grapefruit while you are taking TRIKAFTA

What are the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA?

TRIKAFTA can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Liver damage and worsening of liver function in people with severe liver disease that can be serious and may require transplantation. Liver damage has also happened in people without liver disease
  • High liver enzymes in the blood is a common side effect in people treated with TRIKAFTA. These can be serious and may be a sign of liver injury. Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver:
  • before you start TRIKAFTA
  • every 3 months during your first year of taking TRIKAFTA
  • every year while you are taking TRIKAFTA

Your doctor may do blood tests to check the liver more often if you have had high liver enzymes in your blood in the past.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

  • pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach (abdominal) area
  • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea or vomiting
  • dark, amber-colored urine
  • Abnormality of the eye lens (cataract) has happened in some children and adolescents treated with TRIKAFTA. If you are a child or adolescent, your doctor should perform eye examinations before and during treatment with TRIKAFTA to look for cataracts

The most common side effects of TRIKAFTA include:

  • headache
  • upper respiratory tract infection (common cold) including stuffy and runny nose
  • stomach (abdominal) pain
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • increase in liver enzymes
  • increase in a certain blood enzyme called creatine phosphokinase
  • flu (influenza)
  • inflamed sinuses
  • increase in blood bilirubin

These are not all the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For further information, please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
 

Do not take TRIKAFTA if you take certain medicines such as:

  • antibiotics such as rifampin (RIFAMATE®, RIFATER®) or rifabutin (MYCOBUTIN®)
  • seizure medicines such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine (TEGRETOL®, CARBATROL®, EQUETRO®), or phenytoin (DILANTIN®, PHENYTEK®)
  • St. John’s wort

Talk to your doctor before taking TRIKAFTA if you take any of the medicines or herbal supplements listed above.

Before taking TRIKAFTA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney problems
  • have or have had liver problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRIKAFTA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if TRIKAFTA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are breastfeeding

TRIKAFTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TRIKAFTA works.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The dose of TRIKAFTA may need to be adjusted when taken with certain medicines.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure. Make sure the list includes medicines from all your pharmacies, if you have more than one. 

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • antifungal medicines including ketoconazole (such as NIZORAL®), itraconazole (such as SPORANOX®), posaconazole (such as NOXAFIL®), voriconazole (such as VFEND®), or fluconazole (such as DIFLUCAN®)
  • antibiotics including telithromycin (such as KETEK®), clarithromycin (such as BIAXIN®), or erythromycin (such as ERY-TAB®)
  • other medicines including rifampin, rifabutin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St. John’s wort

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking TRIKAFTA?

  • TRIKAFTA can cause dizziness in some people who take it. Do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert until you know how TRIKAFTA affects you
  • Avoid food or drink that contains grapefruit while you are taking TRIKAFTA

What are the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA?

TRIKAFTA can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Liver damage and worsening of liver function in people with severe liver disease that can be serious and may require transplantation. Liver damage has also happened in people without liver disease
  • High liver enzymes in the blood is a common side effect in people treated with TRIKAFTA. These can be serious and may be a sign of liver injury. Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver:
  • before you start TRIKAFTA
  • every 3 months during your first year of taking TRIKAFTA
  • every year while you are taking TRIKAFTA

Your doctor may do blood tests to check the liver more often if you have had high liver enzymes in your blood in the past.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

  • pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach (abdominal) area
  • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea or vomiting
  • dark, amber-colored urine
  • Abnormality of the eye lens (cataract) has happened in some children and adolescents treated with TRIKAFTA. If you are a child or adolescent, your doctor should perform eye examinations before and during treatment with TRIKAFTA to look for cataracts

The most common side effects of TRIKAFTA include:

  • headache
  • upper respiratory tract infection (common cold) including stuffy and runny nose
  • stomach (abdominal) pain
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • increase in liver enzymes
  • increase in a certain blood enzyme called creatine phosphokinase
  • flu (influenza)
  • inflamed sinuses
  • increase in blood bilirubin

These are not all the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For further information, please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
 

What is Trikafta? 

What is TRIKAFTA® (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor)?

TRIKAFTA is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients aged 6 years and older who have at least one copy of the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene or another mutation that is responsive to treatment with TRIKAFTA.

Talk to your doctor to learn if you have an indicated CF gene mutation.

It is not known if TRIKAFTA is safe and effective in children under 6 years of age.

Important safety information  

Important Safety Information

Do not take TRIKAFTA if you take certain medicines such as:

  • antibiotics such as rifampin (RIFAMATE®, RIFATER®) or rifabutin (MYCOBUTIN®)
  • seizure medicines such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine (TEGRETOL®, CARBATROL®, EQUETRO®), or phenytoin (DILANTIN®, PHENYTEK®)
  • St. John’s wort

Talk to your doctor before taking TRIKAFTA if you take any of the medicines or herbal supplements listed above.

Before taking TRIKAFTA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney problems
  • have or have had liver problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRIKAFTA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if TRIKAFTA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are breastfeeding

TRIKAFTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TRIKAFTA works.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The dose of TRIKAFTA may need to be adjusted when taken with certain medicines.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure. Make sure the list includes medicines from all your pharmacies, if you have more than one. 

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • antifungal medicines including ketoconazole (such as NIZORAL®), itraconazole (such as SPORANOX®), posaconazole (such as NOXAFIL®), voriconazole (such as VFEND®), or fluconazole (such as DIFLUCAN®)
  • antibiotics including telithromycin (such as KETEK®), clarithromycin (such as BIAXIN®), or erythromycin (such as ERY-TAB®)
  • other medicines including rifampin, rifabutin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St. John’s wort

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking TRIKAFTA?

  • TRIKAFTA can cause dizziness in some people who take it. Do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert until you know how TRIKAFTA affects you
  • Avoid food or drink that contains grapefruit while you are taking TRIKAFTA

What are the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA?

TRIKAFTA can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Liver damage and worsening of liver function in people with severe liver disease that can be serious and may require transplantation. Liver damage has also happened in people without liver disease
  • High liver enzymes in the blood is a common side effect in people treated with TRIKAFTA. These can be serious and may be a sign of liver injury. Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver:
  • before you start TRIKAFTA
  • every 3 months during your first year of taking TRIKAFTA
  • every year while you are taking TRIKAFTA

Your doctor may do blood tests to check the liver more often if you have had high liver enzymes in your blood in the past.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

  • pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach (abdominal) area
  • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea or vomiting
  • dark, amber-colored urine
  • Abnormality of the eye lens (cataract) has happened in some children and adolescents treated with TRIKAFTA. If you are a child or adolescent, your doctor should perform eye examinations before and during treatment with TRIKAFTA to look for cataracts

The most common side effects of TRIKAFTA include:

  • headache
  • upper respiratory tract infection (common cold) including stuffy and runny nose
  • stomach (abdominal) pain
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • increase in liver enzymes
  • increase in a certain blood enzyme called creatine phosphokinase
  • flu (influenza)
  • inflamed sinuses
  • increase in blood bilirubin

These are not all the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For further information, please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
 

Do not take TRIKAFTA if you take certain medicines such as:

  • antibiotics such as rifampin (RIFAMATE®, RIFATER®) or rifabutin (MYCOBUTIN®)
  • seizure medicines such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine (TEGRETOL®, CARBATROL®, EQUETRO®), or phenytoin (DILANTIN®, PHENYTEK®)
  • St. John’s wort

Talk to your doctor before taking TRIKAFTA if you take any of the medicines or herbal supplements listed above.

Before taking TRIKAFTA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney problems
  • have or have had liver problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRIKAFTA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if TRIKAFTA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are breastfeeding

TRIKAFTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TRIKAFTA works.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The dose of TRIKAFTA may need to be adjusted when taken with certain medicines.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure. Make sure the list includes medicines from all your pharmacies, if you have more than one. 

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • antifungal medicines including ketoconazole (such as NIZORAL®), itraconazole (such as SPORANOX®), posaconazole (such as NOXAFIL®), voriconazole (such as VFEND®), or fluconazole (such as DIFLUCAN®)
  • antibiotics including telithromycin (such as KETEK®), clarithromycin (such as BIAXIN®), or erythromycin (such as ERY-TAB®)
  • other medicines including rifampin, rifabutin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St. John’s wort

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking TRIKAFTA?

  • TRIKAFTA can cause dizziness in some people who take it. Do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert until you know how TRIKAFTA affects you
  • Avoid food or drink that contains grapefruit while you are taking TRIKAFTA

What are the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA?

TRIKAFTA can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Liver damage and worsening of liver function in people with severe liver disease that can be serious and may require transplantation. Liver damage has also happened in people without liver disease
  • High liver enzymes in the blood is a common side effect in people treated with TRIKAFTA. These can be serious and may be a sign of liver injury. Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver:
  • before you start TRIKAFTA
  • every 3 months during your first year of taking TRIKAFTA
  • every year while you are taking TRIKAFTA

Your doctor may do blood tests to check the liver more often if you have had high liver enzymes in your blood in the past.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

  • pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach (abdominal) area
  • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea or vomiting
  • dark, amber-colored urine
  • Abnormality of the eye lens (cataract) has happened in some children and adolescents treated with TRIKAFTA. If you are a child or adolescent, your doctor should perform eye examinations before and during treatment with TRIKAFTA to look for cataracts

The most common side effects of TRIKAFTA include:

  • headache
  • upper respiratory tract infection (common cold) including stuffy and runny nose
  • stomach (abdominal) pain
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • increase in liver enzymes
  • increase in a certain blood enzyme called creatine phosphokinase
  • flu (influenza)
  • inflamed sinuses
  • increase in blood bilirubin

These are not all the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For further information, please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
 

Before taking TRIKAFTA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney problems
  • have or have had liver problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRIKAFTA will harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if TRIKAFTA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take TRIKAFTA while you are breastfeeding

TRIKAFTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how TRIKAFTA works.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The dose of TRIKAFTA may need to be adjusted when taken with certain medicines.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure. Make sure the list includes medicines from all your pharmacies, if you have more than one. 

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • antifungal medicines including ketoconazole (such as NIZORAL®), itraconazole (such as SPORANOX®), posaconazole (such as NOXAFIL®), voriconazole (such as VFEND®), or fluconazole (such as DIFLUCAN®)
  • antibiotics including telithromycin (such as KETEK®), clarithromycin (such as BIAXIN®), or erythromycin (such as ERY-TAB®)
  • other medicines including rifampin, rifabutin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St. John’s wort

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking TRIKAFTA?

  • TRIKAFTA can cause dizziness in some people who take it. Do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert until you know how TRIKAFTA affects you
  • Avoid food or drink that contains grapefruit while you are taking TRIKAFTA

What are the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA?

TRIKAFTA can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Liver damage and worsening of liver function in people with severe liver disease that can be serious and may require transplantation. Liver damage has also happened in people without liver disease
  • High liver enzymes in the blood is a common side effect in people treated with TRIKAFTA. These can be serious and may be a sign of liver injury. Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver:
  • before you start TRIKAFTA
  • every 3 months during your first year of taking TRIKAFTA
  • every year while you are taking TRIKAFTA

Your doctor may do blood tests to check the liver more often if you have had high liver enzymes in your blood in the past.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

  • pain or discomfort in the upper right stomach (abdominal) area
  • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea or vomiting
  • dark, amber-colored urine
  • Abnormality of the eye lens (cataract) has happened in some children and adolescents treated with TRIKAFTA. If you are a child or adolescent, your doctor should perform eye examinations before and during treatment with TRIKAFTA to look for cataracts

The most common side effects of TRIKAFTA include:

  • headache
  • upper respiratory tract infection (common cold) including stuffy and runny nose
  • stomach (abdominal) pain
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • increase in liver enzymes
  • increase in a certain blood enzyme called creatine phosphokinase
  • flu (influenza)
  • inflamed sinuses
  • increase in blood bilirubin

These are not all the possible side effects of TRIKAFTA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For further information, please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.