Jesduvroq (daprodustat)

Jesduvroq generic

Jesduvroq is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Jesduvroq dosage

The Jesduvroq dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

• the level of hemoglobin (Hgb) in your blood
• other medical conditions you may have
• other medications you may be taking and your current dosage of those medications

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Jesduvroq comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in five strengths:

• 1 milligram (mg)
• 2 mg
• 4 mg
• 6 mg
• 8 mg

Dosage for anemia caused by chronic kidney disease

Jesduvroq is prescribed to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease in certain adults. The starting dosage depends on whether you’re already taking an erythropoietin-stimulating agent (ESA). Examples of ESAs include epoetin alfa (Procrit), darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), and methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (Mircera).

Dosage for adults not taking an ESA

If you’re not already taking an ESA, your starting Jesduvroq dosage depends on the level of Hgb in your blood. Hgb levels are measured in grams per deciliter (g/dL).

Specifically:

• if your Hgb is less than 9 g/dL, you’ll take 4 mg of Jesduvroq once per day
• if your Hgb is 9–10 g/dL, you’ll take 2 mg of Jesduvroq once per day
• if your Hgb is greater than 10 g/dL, you’ll take 1 mg of Jesduvroq once per day

Your doctor may give you a different starting dosage depending on certain factors, including whether you have liver disease. Your doctor will recommend the starting dosage that’s right for you.

Your doctor will check your Hgb levels regularly during Jesduvroq treatment and adjust your dosage as needed. The maximum recommended dosage of Jesduvroq is 24 mg once per day.

If your doctor doesn’t see a meaningful change in Hgb levels after 6 months, they may stop Jesduvroq treatment and recommend other options.

Dosage for adults switching from an ESA

If you’re switching from an ESA, your starting Jesduvroq dosage depends on the ESA dosage you were prescribed. The typical starting range is 4-12 mg of Jesduvroq once per day. However, your doctor may give you a different starting dosage depending on certain factors, including whether you have liver disease. Your doctor will recommend the starting dosage that’s right for you.

Your doctor will adjust your Jesduvroq dosage over time based on your hemoglobin (Hgb) levels. The maximum recommended dosage of Jesduvroq is 24 mg once per day.

If your doctor doesn’t see a meaningful change in Hgb levels after 24 weeks, they may stop Jesduvroq treatment and recommend other options.

About taking Jesduvroq

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

• When to take. You should take Jesduvroq once a day. Taking the medication around the same time of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. This helps Jesduvroq work effectively.
• If you miss a dose. If it’s the same day as your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s not the same day as your missed dose, skip it. Then take your next dose again at the regular time. If you aren’t sure whether to take or skip a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Taking Jesduvroq with food. You can take each dose of Jesduvroq with or without food.
• Crushing, splitting, or chewing Jesduvroq. You’ll swallow the tablets whole. Jesduvroq tablets should not be crushed, split, or chewed. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to this article for tips.
• Length of use. Jesduvroq is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Jesduvroq is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Overdose

Taking more than the recommended dosage of Jesduvroq can lead to serious side effects. Do not take more Jesduvroq than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include headache and digestive symptoms, such as nausea.

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Jesduvroq side effects

Jesduvroq can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Jesduvroq. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Jesduvroq, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Jesduvroq, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Jesduvroq. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Jesduvroq’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Jesduvroq can include:

• abdominal pain
• dizziness
• mild allergic reaction*

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Jesduvroq, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Certain serious side effects from Jesduvroq are more common than others. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• Damage to the lining of your esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Symptoms can include:
  • bloody vomit or stool
  • throat pain
  • abdominal pain
• Cancer. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer but may include:
  • fatigue
  • bruising or bleeding more easily than usual
  • unintentional weight loss
• Heart failure that needs treatment in a hospital. Symptoms can include:
  • shortness of breath
  • swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet
  • fatigue
• High blood pressure, which doesn’t typically cause symptoms unless it’s severe. Symptoms of severely high blood pressure can include:
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • nosebleeds
• Increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular problems.*
• Severe allergic reaction.†

* Jesduvroq has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Jesduvroq precautions” section below.
† For details about allergic reaction and Jesduvroq, see “Allergic reaction” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Jesduvroq. This was a less common side effect in clinical trials of this drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
• trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Jesduvroq, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Jesduvroq uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Jesduvroq to treat certain conditions.

Jesduvroq for anemia caused by chronic kidney disease

Jesduvroq is FDA-approved to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD). It’s prescribed for adults who’ve received dialysis for at least 4 months.

With CKD, your kidneys don’t work as well as they should. As a result, your kidneys make less erythropoietin. This is a hormone that helps your body make red blood cells. Having low erythropoietin can lead to anemia.

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Jesduvroq in certain situations, such as:

• to ease fatigue or improve quality of life, including your emotional well-being or ability to perform daily tasks
• for people who are not receiving dialysis
• instead of blood cell transfusions for people who need their anemia treated right away

Jesduvroq and children

Jesduvroq is not approved for use in children. It’s not known whether the drug is safe or effective for children.

Jesduvroq interactions

Jesduvroq can interact with several other medications. It isn’t known to interact with supplements or foods.

Before taking Jesduvroq, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Jesduvroq. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Jesduvroq. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Alcohol interaction

Alcohol is not known to interact with Jesduvroq.

However, it may not be safe to consume alcohol while taking Jesduvroq. Both alcohol and Jesduvroq may cause damage to the lining of your esophagus, stomach, or intestines when used individually. Consuming alcohol during Jesduvroq treatment increases this risk even further.

If you have questions about the safety of drinking alcohol while taking Jesduvroq, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Jesduvroq cost

As with all medications, the cost of Jesduvroq can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance. If you need financial support to pay for Jesduvroq, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic version. Jesduvroq is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Jesduvroq alternatives

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Jesduvroq, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Erythropoietin-stimulating agents are alternatives to Jesduroq. Examples of these medications include:

• epoetin alfa (Procrit)
• darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
• methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (Mircera)

Things to consider when taking Jesduvroq

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Jesduvroq and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Jesduvroq should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Jesduvroq and breastfeeding

Jesduvroq should not be taken while breastfeeding. It isn’t known for certain whether the drug passes into breast milk or causes side effects in a child who’s breastfed. To be safe, you should avoid breastfeeding during Jesduvroq treatment and for at least 1 week after your last dose.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor can recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Jesduvroq.

Common questions about Jesduvroq

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Jesduvroq.

How does Jesduvroq work?

Jesduvroq is used to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD) in certain adults. Having CKD may cause your kidneys to make less erythropoietin, which is a hormone that helps your body make red blood cells. Low levels of this hormone can lead to anemia.

Jesduvroq works by helping your body make more erythropoietin. As a result, your body is able to make more red blood cells. In this way, Jesduvroq works to treat anemia caused by CKD.

If you have other questions about how Jesduvroq works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Jesduvroq cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Jesduvroq may cause side effects that start during treatment and lead to long-term problems even after treatment ends.

For example, Jesduvroq may cause damage to the lining of your esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Other possible long-term side effects include:

• cancer
• heart failure that needs treatment in a hospital
• high blood pressure
• increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular problems*

If you have other questions about long-term side effects with Jesduvroq, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Jesduvroq has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Jesduvroq precautions” section below.

Is it safe to take Jesduvroq with an iron supplement?

Yes, if your doctor recommends it.

Jesduvroq is prescribed to treat anemia caused by CKD in certain adults. People with this condition may have low iron levels in their blood. For this reason, your doctor may check your iron levels regularly during Jesduvroq treatment. If you’re found to have low iron, your doctor may recommend an iron supplement.

If you have other questions about taking Jesduvroq with an iron supplement, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.