In the phase III trial of nintedanib, only 10.8% of participants were aged ≥75 years. Here, we aimed to evaluate the tolerability and safety of nintedanib in elderly patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

In total, 71 consecutive patients with (1) IPF, (2) age ≥75 years, and (3) newly prescribed nintedanib from September 2015 to April 2018 (elderly group) were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, treatment status, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the elderly group and 126 patients with IPF, aged <75 years, with newly prescribed nintedanib during the same period (non-elderly group).

In the elderly group, 32 patients (46.4%) discontinued nintedanib within 6 months. Body size was significantly smaller, the incidence rates of anorexia and nausea were significantly higher, and early termination within 6 months were more common in the elderly than in the non-elderly group. In elderly patients, a univariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) and percentage forced vital capacity (FVC) were risk factors for early termination (p = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). A low initial nintedanib dose did not reduce the incidence of AEs and early termination rate in the elderly group.

In elderly patients with IPF, the incidence of early nintedanib termination was higher, and anorexia and nausea were common AEs compared with those in non-elderly IPF patients. Treatment was frequently discontinued in elderly patients with low BMI and FVC, and chest physicians should be aware that nintedanib therapy may result in early termination in these patients.