Ketas (Ibudilast) for asthma, stroke and ALS - 100 tablets. 10 mg

What are Ketas (ibudilast) capsules 10 mg? 

The active principle of Ketas capsules is ibudilast, a specialized phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase, by this, preventing the inactivation of the intracellular second messengers. Also, ibudilast inhibits platelet aggregation and suppresses glial cell activation. 

Ketas capsules provide the following effects:

• bronchodilator,
• vasodilator,
• neuroprotective effect,
• anti-inflammatory effect,
• reducing neuropathic pain. 

What diseases and conditions can be treated with Ketas capsules?

The first indication of Ketas capsules is treatment of asthma. While this medicine does not relieve the attack immediately, it significantly reduces the frequency and the severity of attacks. Treatment with ibudilast allows to reduce the amount of steroids taken by patients and to reduce the side effects of steroids. Clinical studies proved that ibudilast is more effective than tranilast for reducing the number of attacks, and has very rare side effects when used for patients with asthma. 

The Japan Agency for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices has officially approved Ketas capsules for the treatment of ALS. In 2016 and 2017 this medicine was also approved as an orphan medicine for ALS in the USA and EU. While it does not cure the ALS completely, its neuroprotective effect helps to slow down the progress of the disease. Also, ibudilast allows to reduce the amount of opioid drugs due to its ability to reduce neuropathic pain. 

The last approved indication of Ketas is treatment of dizziness and other symptoms of cerebrovascular disorder following a stroke. The effect is expected to appear within 12 weeks. Treatment with ibudilast helps to increase the cerebral blood flow in the right frontal and occipital cortices and to treat such symptoms as dizziness and depressive state. 

Active principles: ibudilast

Amount: 100 capsules

Maker: Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

Approved By: Japan Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency, FDA (USA), EMA(EU).

Indications:

• bronchial asthma,
• ALS,
• dizziness and other symptoms caused by sequences of cerebral infarction

How to take

For asthma: take 1 tablet (10 mg of active principle) at a time, 2 times a day. 

For ALS: take 1 tablet (10 mg) at a time, 3 times a day. 

For dizziness and other symptoms of chronic cerebral circulation disorder associated with cerebral infarction sequences: take 1 tablet (10 mg) at a time, 3 times a day.

Your doctor can adjust the dosage according to your age or symptoms. 

Contraindications: do not use for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not use for patients with liver dysfunction. Do not use for patients with acute cerebral infarction. Use with caution for elderly patients, decreasing the dosage if needed. 

Important information

For patients with bronchial asthma receiving long-term steroid therapy, reducing the dosage of steroids should be done carefully and gradually, under the supervision of doctor in charge. 

This medicine decreases the frequency and the severity of the asthma attacks. However, it is not designed to relieve the asthma attack immediately. Patient should have an inhaler to use in case of emergency. 

If in treatment of long-term effects of cerebral infarction the effect is not observed within 12 weeks, patient should stop the treatment and discuss the alternatives with their doctor. 

In rare cases, liver dysfunctions and thrombocytopenia may occur.

If an allergic reaction occurs, patient needs to stop using the medicine and consult with their doctor. If patient is taking any other medication or treatment, they should consult with their doctor in advance.