Skip to main content

Understanding cystic fibrosis.

Knowing more about cystic fibrosis (CF) can help you become more actively involved in your care. This can help you lead a fuller, healthier life. Here’s more about CF and how it affects your body.

The basics.

CF is a rare genetic disease. CF affects about 40,000 people in the United States1. It typically affects the lungs. But it can affect other organs like your pancreas, liver, stomach or intestines.

People without CF have slippery mucus in their lungs and other organs. They have a protein called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). It allows salt and chloride to move through their lungs, pancreas and other organs. People with CF have a change or mutation in the gene that makes CFTR. Chloride becomes trapped in cells. Fluid can’t moisten surfaces. This causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in their lungs and other organs.

This sticky mucus clogs their airways. They may have infections and swelling (inflammation). In their GI tract and pancreas, the mucus makes it harder for you to digest and absorb nutrients from your food. CF can also cause a condition called cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). This happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin. It can’t control blood sugar. Or, the insulin doesn’t work the right way.

Symptoms.

Symptoms of CF can be different for everybody. They may include:

  • Persistent coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
  • Very salty sweat on your skin
  • Good appetite but poor growth and weight gain
  • Large, greasy bowel movements
  • Long-lasting diarrhea
  • Nasal polyps and chronic sinus infections
  • Bronchitis
  • Frequent lung infections

We’re here to help.

Your CVS Specialty® CF CareTeam is made up of pharmacists and nurses who are specially trained in caring for CF. They can help you manage your CF so you can get the best results.

Your CF CareTeam is ready to:

  • Answer all your questions
  • Work with your doctor
  • Provide your CF products, supplies and help to get started and with ongoing treatment
  • Assist with questions about insurance and billing
  • Offer support and counseling on your CF and medication
  • Arrange delivery of your medications2

Your CareTeam provides specialized support so you can focus more on living your life, not your CF. Call your CareTeam at 1-866-845-6790.

Disclaimers

1.    National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. What is Cystic Fibrosis. Found at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cystic-fibrosis. Accessed April 14, 2025.

2.    Specialty delivery options are available where allowed by law. In-store pick up is currently not available in Oklahoma. Puerto Rico requires first-fill prescriptions to be transmitted directly to the dispensing specialty pharmacy. Products are dispensed by CVS Specialty and certain services are only accessed by calling CVS Specialty directly. Certain specialty medication may not qualify. Services are also available at Long’s Drugs locations.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. CVS Specialty assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result, nor is it responsible for the reliability of the content.

CVS Specialty does not operate all the websites/organizations listed here, nor is it responsible for the availability or reliability of their content. These listings do not imply or constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by CVS Specialty.