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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

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Current status: Treatable, not yet curable

A rare lung condition in which scars build up in the lungs, so breathing gets harder.1 The main signs are shortness of breath, a dry cough that does not go away, and tiredness.1 There is no cure, but medicines can slow the scarring, and oxygen and exercise courses help with breathing.1 It mostly affects people aged 70 or over, and its cause is not known.1

Read more about Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Where research stands todayUpdated 11 Nov 2026
Trial-stage treatments you can join–open now
in United StatesStudies published in the last 12 months19336 in people · 142 in animals · 15 in the labSupport organisations5organisations
in United States
Offer tissue or dataGive a sample or your health data to research.Treatments outside United StatesWhere it is offered, and who pays.“Miracle cure” fact checkerSaw a cure online? Check it before you pay.

Trial-stage treatments and research studies you can join

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Where treatment stands

There is no cure yet, but treatments can ease the symptoms and slow down how fast the disease gets worse.

Where research stands now

On 11 November 2026, 128 trials and studies were open; 74 of those on the map test a treatment. 87 treatments were being tested in people; 19 had reached phase 3, the last stage before approval. From 5 November 2025 to 11 November 2026, PubMed listed articles on treatment studies: 36 in people, 142 in animals, 15 in the lab. Nerandomilast, on the EU list for this disease, was first approved in the EU in July 2026. Health pages say there is no cure yet; treatment can ease symptoms and slow the disease.

Machine-written from the registry counts and the regulators' lists · 2026-11-11

We found 7 medicines approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the EU, the US, Switzerland or France.

Approved: 7

Officially approved for this disease in the EU, the US, Switzerland or France.

Where this comes from

The EU medicines agency (EMA) and its list of medicines in the EU, US prescribing labels (DailyMed, openFDA), the Swiss medicines register (Swissmedic), the French medicines database (ANSM) and the Health Canada drug database, checked on 11 November 2026. Every medicine links to its own official text.

A computer made this list from the official texts: it kept only medicines whose own approval text names the disease, wrote "Who it is for" from that text and checked it against the text a second time. People have not reviewed it yet.

Not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before you change any treatment.

Treatments approved outside the EU

Medicines for Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis approved in the US or Japan that are not approved in the EU.

Checked on 11 Nov 2026 in the official lists of the US (FDA), Japan (PMDA, approvals since April 2004) and the EU (EMA). 2 uncertain matches are left out.

Check with your insurance

Your health insurer may pay part of the cost, sometimes all of it. This depends on your insurer, your plan and the country, so always ask your insurer before you go. For planned care in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, ask about form S2.

Support organisations

Patient organisations and helplines in United States, for you and your family.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis organisations in United States

  • Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

    NIH information center (GARD) providing reliable information on genetic and rare diseases to patients and families via website and contact center.

    rarediseases.info.nih.gov
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

    US nonprofit providing education, support groups, a patient help center and research funding for people with pulmonary fibrosis, including IPF.

    pulmonaryfibrosis.org
  • National Organization for Rare Disorders

    US national rare disease alliance of patient organizations: education, patient assistance programs, rare disease database and policy advocacy.

    rarediseases.org

General support in United States

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

    US national 24/7 free and confidential lifeline for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, reachable by calling or texting 988 or by chat.

    988lifeline.org
  • MedlinePlus

    Free, easy-to-read health information service of the US National Library of Medicine (NIH) on diseases, conditions, drugs and wellness.

    medlineplus.gov

International

General support

  • European Patients' Forum (EPF)

    Umbrella of European patient organisations and national patient coalitions.

    eu-patient.eu
  • International Alliance of Patients' Organizations

    Global alliance of patient organisations of all diseases, promoting patient-centred healthcare.

    iapo.org.uk

Patient organisation umbrella bodies

Offer tissue or data

There are three ways to help research move faster.

Give tissue or bloodA biobank stores your sample so many research teams can use it.No open programme yet
Share your health dataA patient registry collects your health data, without your name, for research.How to join
Take part as a healthy volunteerStudies also need people without the disease, for comparison. Family and friends can help.Volunteer

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About Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

What is it?

In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), scar tissue builds up in the lungs.2 The lungs then find it harder to move oxygen into the blood, and breathing becomes harder.2,1 The cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is not known.2,1 In some people it has been linked to breathing in dust, such as metal or wood dust or asbestos, for a long time.1,2

It is rare and mostly affects older people, mainly people aged 70 or over.1 In most cases only one person in a family has it, but having a close relative with IPF may raise your risk.2,1

The first signs

The signs usually start slowly and get worse over time.1

  • getting short of breath;1
  • a dry cough that does not go away;1,2
  • feeling tired;1
  • losing your appetite and slowly losing weight;2
  • fingertips that become wider and rounder, with nails that curve over them (clubbing).1,2

How doctors find out

Your family doctor sends you to a hospital specialist for tests.1 You do a breathing test (spirometry) that shows how well your lungs work, and have a chest X-ray and then a CT scan to look for scarring.1 If it is still not clear, a doctor may look inside your lungs with a thin, bendy tube (bronchoscopy), or take tiny pieces of lung tissue to check (biopsy).1

Current treatment

Pirfenidone or nintedanib may slow the scarring, with oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation and, in rare cases, a lung transplant.Source: NHS

Will it get worse?

Yes, IPF gets worse over time, but how fast is very different from person to person.1,2 With good treatment, some people have few symptoms for years.1 Some become seriously ill within months, while others live 10 years or longer.2 Over time it can lead to chest infections, high blood pressure in the lungs and heart failure, which can shorten life.1

Medicines: what helps, and what to watch for

Two medicines may slow down the scarring: pirfenidone and nintedanib.1 They come as tablets or capsules that you take several times a day.1 Oxygen from a machine at home, a portable device or both can ease breathlessness and help you stay active.1

Good to know:

  • you need regular blood tests while you take these medicines;1
  • different health professionals work with you on a care plan that suits you.1

Exercise and therapy help too

  • pulmonary rehabilitation is a local course that teaches you about IPF and gives you exercises to live better with it;1
  • exercise regularly and keep as fit as you can;1

A lung transplant, for some people

In rare cases, when IPF keeps getting worse despite treatment, a lung transplant may be considered.1 When doctors think there is nothing more they can do to slow it down, you are given supportive treatment known as end of life care.1

Is there a cure?

Not yet.1 Treatment can ease the symptoms and slow the disease down.1

Sources

  1. NHS: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
  2. MedlinePlus Genetics: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis