Table 3.

Patients’ comments in the survey: advice for prescribers

Prescribers should give patients guidance about taking medication to reduce side effects, such as what time of the day to take medication, or if it should be taken with food, and possible interactions. Hospital and/or community pharmacists could play a role, especially with regard to patients’ other possible drug use, e.g. statins

Prescribers should reassure patients about the variation in medication they are using, and inform them about possible interactions with other drugs, explaining why the combination is necessary

Prescribers should review any treatments prior to receiving the IPF diagnosis, such as long-term steroid use, and check for a risk of antibiotic resistance