Key takeaways

  • Jascayd (nerandomilast) is a brand-name prescription oral tablet used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and progressive pulmonary fibrosis in adults by reducing inflammation and slowing lung scarring.
  • Common side effects of Jascayd include back pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nausea, and weight loss, while serious side effects can include COVID-19 and depression.
  • The typical dosage for Jascayd is 18 milligrams (mg) taken twice daily, but it’s important to follow your doctor’s specific instructions, and the tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or split.

Specifically, Jascayd is used in adults to treat:

To learn more about Jascayd’s uses, see the “Uses for Jascayd” section.

Jascayd basics

Jascayd contains the active ingredient nerandomilast. It belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors.

Jascayd is a brand-name medication. A generic version of the drug isn’t currently available.

Jascayd is used to treat certain types of pulmonary fibrosis in adults.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition that causes scarring and stiffness in the lungs. It can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and a persistent cough.

Doctors may prescribe Jascayd when pulmonary fibrosis is either:

  • idiopathic, meaning it develops without a known cause
  • progressive, meaning it gets worse over time, even when the underlying cause is being treated

Jascayd works to treat pulmonary fibrosis by raising the level of a chemical in the body that helps reduce inflammation and slow lung scarring. In this way, Jascayd may help slow the worsening of pulmonary fibrosis.

Like most drugs, Jascayd may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects Jascayd may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Jascayd. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Jascayd and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects Jascayd can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Jascayd that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Jascayd can cause an allergic reaction, but this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Jascayd treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Jascayd, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Jascayd can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Jascayd, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Jascayd that have been reported include:

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

The Jascayd dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on certain factors, such as other medications you take.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Form and strengths

Jascayd is available as an oral tablet in two strengths: 9 milligrams (mg) and 18 mg.

Recommended dosages for pulmonary fibrosis

What follows is the recommended dosage of Jascayd for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Jascayd that’s right for you.

For the treatment of IPF or PPF, your doctor will likely prescribe 18 mg of Jascayd, taken twice per day. Each dose is usually taken 12 hours apart.

If needed, your doctor may lower the dose to 9 mg twice daily. This depends on how your body responds to the medication and whether you’re taking other drugs that might affect how Jascayd works.

To learn more about the Jascayd dosage that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

About taking Jascayd

The following are answers to some common questions about taking Jascayd.

  • Can Jascayd be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you should not chew, crush, or split Jascayd tablets. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can place the tablet in 3 to 4 ounces of room temperature water. Stir the mixture until the tablet breaks into small pieces. (It may not fully dissolve.)
  • Should I take Jascayd with food? Jascayd can be taken with or without food.
  • Is there a best time of day to take Jascayd? Jascayd is typically taken twice daily, about 12 hours apart. It’s best to take it on a consistent schedule. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body, which helps Jascayd work effectively.
  • What if I miss a dose of Jascayd? If you miss a dose of Jascayd, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
  • Will I need to take Jascayd long term? Jascayd is typically a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Overdose

Do not take more Jascayd than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case of overdose

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Jascayd. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Jascayd can interact with several other medications as well as certain supplements and foods.

Before taking Jascayd, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

The following table highlights medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Jascayd. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Jascayd. If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that can interact with Jascayditraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), pirfenadone (Esbriet)
Supplements that can interact with JascaydSt. John’s wort
Foods that can interact with Jascaydgrapefruit

Jascayd and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Jascayd. Talk with your doctor to determine whether it’s safe for you to consume alcohol during Jascayd treatment.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Jascayd. What you’ll pay for Jascayd may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

  • Comparing pharmacies: The price of Jascayd may vary depending on which pharmacy you use, so it can help to compare prices across pharmacies to find the lowest cost.
  • Savings program: A program called CareConnect4Me may be available. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 844-527-2293 or visit the program website.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Jascayd.

Pregnancy and Jascayd

There are risks to taking Jascayd during pregnancy, including pregnancy loss. But there are also risks with having untreated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). (Jascayd is used for treating these conditions.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about potential treatments for IPF or PPF during pregnancy. Together, you can consider the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take Jascayd during pregnancy.

Jascayd and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Jascayd should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this drug.

Before taking Jascayd, discuss your health history with your doctor. Jascayd may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • liver or kidney problems
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Jascayd, see the “Side effects of Jascayd” section.

Other drugs are available that can treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or progressive pulmonary fibrosis. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Jascayd, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

Examples of alternatives to Jascayd include nintedanib (Ofev) and pirfenidone (Esbriet).

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.