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

How to take ORKAMBI®

Take ORKAMBI every 12 hours as directed

clock-green@2x.pngRemember, every 12 hours is not the same as “twice a day.” Your healthcare provider will tell you exactly how much ORKAMBI you or your child should take and when it should be taken.

 

A fat-containing meal or snack helps the body better absorb the medicine. ORKAMBI should always be taken before or after a meal or snack that contains fat. Get recipes for fat-containing meals and snacks.

 

How to Take ORKAMBI 
Oral Granules (Children 
Age 2 Through 5 Years)

How to Take ORKAMBI 
Tablets (People Age 6 
Years and Older)

FAQs

Designed with a young child in mind

ORKAMBI comes in single-use, oral granule packets for children age 2 through 5 years with CF. The oral granules are similar in size to flour particles and should be mixed with 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of soft food or liquid.

 

Dosage strengths for ORKAMBI oral granules

ORKAMBI oral granules are prescribed based on weight and come in 2 different strengths.

WEIGHT-BASED DOSE EACH DOSE TOTAL DAILY DOSE
Less than ~31 lbs (less than 14 kg) lumacaftor 100 mg/ivacaftor 125 mg
1 packet
every 12 hours		 2 packets
per day
Greater than or equal to ~31 lbs (more than 14 kg)
lumacaftor 150 mg/ivacaftor 188 mg 
 1 packet
every 12 hours		 2 packets
per day
WEIGHT-BASED DOSE
Less than ~31 lbs (less than 14 kg) lumacaftor 100 mg/ivacaftor 125 mg
EACH DOSE
1 packet every 12 hours
TOTAL DAILY DOSE
2 packets per day

 

WEIGHT-BASED DOSE
Greater than or equal to ~31 lbs (more than 14 kg) lumacaftor 150 mg/ivacaftor 188 mg
EACH DOSE
1 packet every 12 hours
TOTAL DAILY DOSE
2 packets per day

 

Remember, having your child take ORKAMBI every 12 hours is not the same as having him or her take it twice a day.

 

Your child should take ORKAMBI, plus all of your child's other CF therapies, exactly as your child's healthcare provider says they should be taken. 

How ORKAMBI oral granules are packaged

Every carton of ORKAMBI has 56 ORKAMBI oral granule packets, organized in 4 weekly wallets. Each wallet has 2 packets for each of the 7 days in a week.

How to give your child ORKAMBI oral granules

STEP 1: Preparation
  • Hold the packet with the cut line on top, shake it gently to settle the ORKAMBI granules, and either tear or cut the packet open along the cut line
  • Carefully pour all of the ORKAMBI granules in the packet into 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of soft food such as flavored pudding or yogurt, or liquid such as juice, in a small container. Food or liquid should be at or below room temperature. Then mix the granules with the food or liquid

 

STEP 2: Administration
  • Have your child take ORKAMBI within 1 hour of mixing
  • Make sure your child completely finishes the full ORKAMBI mixture at each dose

 

STEP 3: Fat-containing food before or after dose
  • Make sure to always give your child food that contains fat just before or just after the dose of ORKAMBI oral granules. This helps the body absorb ORKAMBI better
  • Some fat-containing foods include eggs, avocados, nuts, butter, and whole-milk dairy products
oscar and sam

Taking ORKAMBI oral granules with Cammy and Sam

Watch this educational video with your child as you learn how ORKAMBI oral granules should be prepared and taken

What if your child misses a dose of ORKAMBI?

  • If your child misses a dose of ORKAMBI and it is within 6 hours of when he or she usually takes it, have your child take the dose of ORKAMBI as prescribed with fat-containing food as soon as possible
     
  • If your child misses a dose and it is more than 6 hours after the time he or she usually takes it, have your child skip that dose only and take the next dose with fat-containing food when he or she usually takes it. Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose
     
  • Tell your child’s healthcare provider if your child stops taking ORKAMBI for more than 1 week. He or she may need to change your child’s ORKAMBI dose or other medicines your child takes

Tips for helping your child take ORKAMBI oral granules

Your child may find that ORKAMBI oral granules have a bitter taste. Every dose matters, so it's important to make sure your child completely finishes the ORKAMBI mixture at each dose. Here are a few tips that may help.

Give your child ORKAMBI oral granules with 5 mL of soft food or liquid that is sweet or rich like pudding, yogurt, chocolate sauce, or caramel sauce. Melted ice cream is also a nice treat to mix with granules.

Maple syrup or honey may help with the aftertaste of ORKAMBI—you can give some to your child after he or she completely finishes the dose of ORKAMBI. It’s worth a sweet shot!

Numb the taste buds before taking ORKAMBI by having your child eat an ice pop or another cold treat before his or her dose.

Put some control in your child’s hands by letting him or her decide what fat-containing food to eat before or after the dose. A slice of whole-milk cheese pizza or another favorite fat-containing food after ORKAMBI could be a tasty reward.

Does your child have a favorite doll or toy? Holding a special toy while taking ORKAMBI may make your child feel more comfortable.

Try creating a rewards system for finishing ORKAMBI, such as collecting stickers. You know best how to keep your child motivated!

Everyday CF

Get more delicious recipes and food ideas.
Visit CF Kitchen on Everyday-CF.com.

Looking for something specific in the CF Kitchen?
Choose a mealtime below.

BREAKFAST    LUNCH    DINNER

Everyday-CF.com is an educational website developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.

Dosage strengths for ORKAMBI tablets

AGE EACH TABLET EACH DOSE TOTAL DAILY DOSE
Children age 6 
through 11 years		 Lumacaftor 100 mg/
ivacaftor 125 mg 		 2 tablets
every 12 hours		 4 tablets
per day
People age 12 years 
and older		 Lumacaftor 200 mg/
ivacaftor 125 mg 		 2 tablets
every 12 hours		 4 tablets
per day
AGE
Children age 6 through 11 years
EACH TABLET
Lumacaftor 100 mg/
ivacaftor 125 mg
EACH DOSE
2 tablets
every 12 hours
TOTAL DAILY DOSE
4 tablets
per day

 

AGE
People age 12 years
and older
EACH TABLET
Lumacaftor 200 mg/
ivacaftor 125 mg
EACH DOSE
2 tablets
every 12 hours
TOTAL DAILY DOSE
4 tablets
per day

 

Make sure to take ORKAMBI before or after a meal or snack that contains fat.

Find new and delicious fat-containing food ideas

How ORKAMBI tablets are packaged

Each carton of ORKAMBI has 4 weekly wallets. Inside each weekly wallet are 7 daily blister strips. Every blister strip contains 4 tablets: 2 for the morning, and 12 hours later, 2 for the evening. When taking ORKAMBI, remove 2 tablets from the blister strip (do not push tablet through backing).

You can cut along the blister strip’s dotted line to separate your or your child’s morning and evening doses, which contain the same amount of medicine.

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What if you or your child misses a dose of ORKAMBI?

  • If you or your child misses a dose of ORKAMBI and it is within 6 hours of when it's usually taken, you or your child should take the dose as prescribed with fat-containing food as soon as possible
  • If you or your child misses a dose and it is more than 6 hours after the time it's usually taken, you or your child should skip that dose only and take the next dose with fat-containing food at the usual time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child stops taking ORKAMBI for more than 1 week. Your healthcare provider may need to change the ORKAMBI dose or other medicines

Watch Oscar and Sam explain CF and ORKAMBI tablets

You can view this animated video with your child before he or she starts taking ORKAMBI.

If I mix the ORKAMBI oral granules with a fat-containing food, do I still need to give my child fat-containing food afterwards?

Yes, your child should still eat fat-containing food just before or just after taking the entire mixture.

 

Does the temperature of the food that I mix with ORKAMBI oral granules matter? Can the granules be mixed in foods that are hot or cold?

The granules should be mixed with soft food or liquid at room temperature or below. The granules should not be mixed in items that are frozen or hot.

 

Can my child swallow the granules without mixing them in soft food or liquid?

The entire contents of each packet should be mixed with 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of age-appropriate soft food or liquid. The mixture should be taken within 1 hour of being mixed. Make sure all medicine is taken.

 

My child vomited after taking the dose of ORKAMBI oral granules. What should I do?

You should contact your child’s healthcare provider to discuss this. Your pharmacist may also be a good resource.

 

If my child is napping when it is time for ORKAMBI oral granules, should I wait until they’re awake to administer them?

You should give your child ORKAMBI oral granules every 12 hours or as prescribed by your child’s healthcare provider.

 

Do the granules have a taste?

Your child may find that ORKAMBI granules have a bitter taste. To ensure your child takes the entire dose, try mixing it into a food that is sweet or rich, like pudding, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or melted ice cream. You can also try giving your child something sweet, like maple syrup or honey, after the dose.

Another tip is to numb the taste buds by giving your child an ice pop or cold treat before the dose of ORKAMBI.

 

How are ORKAMBI oral granules packaged?

Every carton has 56 ORKAMBI oral granule packets, organized in 4 weekly wallets. Each wallet has 2 packets for each of the 7 days in a week.

 

Are the oral granules packets child proof?

The packets are child-resistant.

 

How should ORKAMBI oral granules and tablets be stored?

ORKAMBI should be stored at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Do not use ORKAMBI after the expiration date on the package. Keep ORKAMBI and all medicines out of the reach of children.

 

How are ORKAMBI tablets packaged?

Each carton of ORKAMBI has 4 weekly wallets. Inside each weekly wallet are 7 daily blister strips. Every blister strip contains 4 tablets: 2 for the morning, and 12 hours later, 2 for the evening.

 

Can I separate the doses on the blister cards?

You may cut along the dotted line to separate your doses from the blister card.

 

My child is over 6 years old and has trouble swallowing pills. Can my child take oral granules?

ORKAMBI oral granules are for patients age 2 through 5 years old. ORKAMBI tablets are for people age 6 years and older.