Is Ibudilast (Ketas ) from Japan effective?

Is Ibudilast (Ketas) from Japan effective?

Ibudilast (Ketas) capsules from Japan contain 10 mg of Ibudilast in each capsule. This medicine is effective for following symptoms and conditions:

• cerebrovascular disorder and dizziness caused by it,
• bronchial asthma,
• multiple sclerosis,
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Some patients feel concern about the wide range of using Ketas (Ibudilast). Can one medicine be effective against all of these diseases? Let’s check it out together.

How does Ibudilast (Ketas) work?

Ketas (Ibudilast) capsules from Japan suppress three cytokines, proteins that play an important role in the cell signaling in the immune system. Three particular cytokines, IL-1ß, TNF-a, and IL-6, are known for the ability to promote the inflammatory response. By blocking these cytokines, Japanese Ketas (Ibudilast) helps to reduce neuroinflammation. So, in case of bronchial asthma, the medicine works by suppressing the inflammation of respiratory tract and reducing airway hypersensitivity. In cerebrovascular disorder, Ketas (Ibudilast) also works as phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It helps to widen the blood vessels and to protect certain areas of the brain. Japanese researches reported high effectiveness of Ketas (Ibudilast) for treating dizziness in patients with chronic cerebrovascular diseases (N. Inoue, M. Harada. “Effect of ibudilast on non-specific symptoms in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia. Analysis of cerebral blood flow”. Arzneimittelforschung, 2008; 58(6): 277-82).

In treatment of ALS and multiple sclerosis, Ketas (Ibudilast) from Japan combines two previous mechanisms with suppressing macrophage migration inhibiting factor and reducing the activity of activity of glial cells. Currently, the clinical trials in order to be approved by FDA are already in Phase 3 (Alice Melao. “FDA Gives OK to Medicinova’s Phase 3 Clinical Trial Plan for Ibudilast in ALS”. ALS News Today, September 27, 2018. https://alsnewstoday.com/2018/09/27/fda-approves-phase-3-plan-ibudilast-potential-als-treatment/). But the studies already show that Ketas (Ibudilast) has positive effect on preserving brain volume and disability progression (A. D. Goodman, T. Gyang, A. D. Smith. “Ibudilast for the treatment of multiple sclerosis”. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 2016 Oct; 25(10): 1231-7).

Pros and cons of using Japanese Ibudilast (Ketas)

Unfortunately, using Ibudilast (Ketas) also has contraindications and precautions. Firstly, in treating bronchial asthma it doesn’t stop asthmatic attacks immediately. So, the patients with asthma should continue using steroid for preventing asthma attacks. But gradually they’ll become able to decrease the number of steroids under the supervision of the consulting doctor.

Secondly, the patients with acute phase of cerebral infarction or impaired hepatic function should take care Ketas (Ibudilast) with great care. The same goes for the elderly patients because of a possibility of high blood concentration and liver hypofunction. Always discuss all the benefits and risks of using Ketas (Ibudilast) with your doctor before using it.