Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated using the Feibi recipe: Two case reports

BACKGROUND: Rationale: No other treatment besides lung transplant is effective for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Patients with IPF have poor prognosis, which may eventually lead to death. Patient concerns: Two female patients were diagnosed with IPF. In our recent follow-up, both these patients maintained a good quality of life. CASE SUMMARY: Diagnosis: Both patients had dry cough and progressive dyspnea. Interventions: The first patient was treated with prednisone, and the second patient was treated with prednisone and tripterygium glycosides. However, the symptoms did not improve and fibrosis was not controlled. Thus, the Feibi recipe was used. Outcomes: No deterioration was observed after the treatment, and the dry cough and its effect were ameliorated. Furthermore, they are still alive and the quality of their lives has improved. CONCLUSION: These two cases suggest that the Feibi recipe and other traditional Chinese medicine therapies could be beneficial for IPF treatment.