From the Guidelines
Tafamidis (Vyndaqel) can cause fatigue in some patients, though it is not among the most common side effects. Clinical trials have shown that fatigue occurs in approximately 9-12% of patients taking tafamidis, which is only slightly higher than the rate observed in placebo groups. The medication, which is used to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and polyneuropathy (ATTR-PN), works by stabilizing the transthyretin protein to prevent amyloid formation. Most patients tolerate tafamidis well, with the most common side effects being respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and diarrhea rather than fatigue. If you experience persistent or severe fatigue while taking tafamidis, it's essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider, as fatigue could also be related to the underlying amyloidosis condition itself or other medications you may be taking. Your doctor can help determine if the fatigue is medication-related and may suggest strategies to manage this side effect while continuing this important treatment 1.
Some key points to consider:
- Tafamidis is used to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and polyneuropathy (ATTR-PN) by stabilizing the transthyretin protein to prevent amyloid formation.
- Fatigue is not among the most common side effects of tafamidis, but it can occur in some patients.
- The underlying amyloidosis condition or other medications may also contribute to fatigue.
- Healthcare providers can help determine the cause of fatigue and suggest strategies to manage it while continuing tafamidis treatment.
It's crucial to prioritize the management of fatigue in patients taking tafamidis, as it can impact their quality of life and overall well-being. By working closely with their healthcare provider, patients can minimize the effects of fatigue and maximize the benefits of tafamidis treatment. In the context of real-life clinical medicine, it's essential to weigh the potential benefits and risks of tafamidis treatment and consider individual patient factors when making decisions about management of fatigue. The most recent and highest-quality study on this topic is the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure, which provides recommendations for the use of tafamidis in patients with ATTR-CM 1.
From the Research
Tafamidis and Fatigue
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of whether Tafamidis (Vyndaqel) causes fatigue 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies focus on the efficacy and safety of Tafamidis in treating transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) 2, 4, 5, 6.
- Adverse events are mentioned in some studies, but fatigue is not specifically listed as a common side effect 2, 3, 5.
- One study mentions that tafamidis had an acceptable safety/tolerability profile in healthy volunteers, but does not provide detailed information on specific adverse events such as fatigue 3.
- Another study reports that adverse events were similar between groups, and no patients discontinued treatment due to an adverse event, but again, fatigue is not specifically mentioned 5.