Jesduvroq (daprodustat) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for anemia caused by chronic kidney disease in adults. As with other drugs, Jesduvroq can cause side effects, such as abdominal pain and dizziness.
Jesduvroq can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Jesduvroq in clinical trials:
- dizziness
- abdominal pain
- high blood pressure
Mild side effects can occur with Jesduvroq. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Jesduvroq’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Jesduvroq include:
- dizziness
- abdominal pain
- mild allergic reaction*
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Jesduvroq and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Jesduvroq. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Jesduvroq may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Jesduvroq’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Jesduvroq, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Heart failure that needs to be treated in a hospital. Symptoms can include:
- fatigue or weakness
- swelling in your ankles, legs, or feet
- shortness of breath
- Sores or damage on the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or intestines. Symptoms can include:
- abdominal pain
- black or tarry stools
- vomiting blood
- throat pain
- High blood pressure.*
- Increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular problems.†
- Severe allergic reaction.*‡
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† Jesduvroq has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after taking Jesduvroq. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Jesduvroq may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Jesduvroq.
Increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular problems
Jesduvroq has a boxed warning for an increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular problems. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Taking Jesduvroq can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots, which may lead to death. Blood clots around the dialysis access site were commonly reported in clinical trials of the drug. (The dialysis access site is the surgically placed opening where the dialysis machine will connect to your bloodstream.)
Serious cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack, stroke, or other blood clots were rare in clinical studies.
Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
- a feeling of pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest
- shortness of breath
- sweating or feeling clammy
- dizziness
- nausea
Symptoms of a stroke can include:
- numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- confusion
- difficulty speaking
Symptoms of a blood clot can include:
- pain and tenderness in the affected area
- skin that’s warm to the touch
- skin that’s discolored
- difficulty catching your breath, which may happen suddenly or over time
- chest pain or other pain that may become worse when breathing in
- dizziness
What you can do
Risk factors that may increase your risk of serious cardiovascular problems during treatment with Jesduvroq include:
- having had a heart attack, stroke, or acute coronary syndrome in the past 3 months
- hemoglobin that is higher than the recommended level
- hemoglobin that goes up too fast
If you’ve had a heart attack, stroke, or acute coronary syndrome in the past 3 months, your doctor will likely not prescribe Jesduvroq for you.
Your doctor will order regular blood tests to monitor your hemoglobin level. They may need to lower your dose or temporarily stop treatment if they find your hemoglobin is too high or is rising too fast.
Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a blood clot. If you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke or other symptoms that seem life threatening, call 911 or seek medical help right away.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure was a common side effect in people taking Jesduvroq in clinical trials. High blood pressure doesn’t typically cause symptoms unless it becomes very high. Symptoms of severely high blood pressure can include:
- nosebleeds
- dizziness
- headache
What you can do
Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure before starting treatment with Jesduvroq. Because of the risk of severe increases in blood pressure, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Jesduvroq if your blood pressure is too high. They will want to lower your blood pressure before you start taking Jesduvroq.
Your doctor will also monitor your blood pressure while you are taking the drug. If your blood pressure is high, they may need to prescribe a new medication or change the dose of your current blood pressure medication.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how Jesduvroq can affect your blood pressure. If you notice symptoms of severe high blood pressure, let your doctor know right away.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Jesduvroq can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Jesduvroq. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Below is important information you should consider before starting treatment with Jesduvroq.
Boxed warning: Increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular problems
This drug has a boxed warning for an increased risk of death and serious cardiovascular problems. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Jesduvroq. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:
Liver problems: If you have liver disease, it will be more difficult for your liver to remove Jesduvroq from your body. This could increase the amount of drug in your body and increase your risk of side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis. Your doctor may recommend a lower dose or a different treatment option.
Cancer: Cancers have been reported in people taking Jesduvroq. If you currently have cancer or are having cancer treatment, taking Jesduvroq can worsen your condition. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of cancer. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.
Heart failure: Jesduvroq can cause heart failure that may require treatment in a hospital. If you have a history of heart failure, your risk of being hospitalized while taking Jesduvroq is increased. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have heart failure. They can tell you whether Jesduvroq is a safe option for you.
High blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure,* taking Jesduvroq can worsen your condition. In some cases, there have been reports of serious increases in blood pressure, leading to hypertensive crisis. Your doctor will most likely want to treat high blood pressure before you start therapy with Jesduvroq. They’ll also monitor your blood pressure closely while you’re taking the drug.
Stomach ulcers or other problems with your stomach, esophagus, or intestines: Jesduvroq can cause ulcers, sores, or bleeding in your stomach, esophagus, or intestines. You may be at a higher risk of these problems if you have a history of problems with your stomach, esophagus, or intestines, including peptic ulcer disease.
Drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or certain medications can also further increase your risk. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve had any gastrointestinal problems in the past. Talk with your doctor about whether Jesduvroq is the right treatment option for you.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Jesduvroq or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Jesduvroq. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Jesduvroq while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor before taking Jesduvroq if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Alcohol consumption: There aren’t any known interactions between Jesduvroz and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while taking Jesduvroz can increase your risk of bleeding. This is because both Jesduvroq and alcohol can cause sores on the lining of your stomach. Your doctor may recommend that you do not drink alcohol while taking Jesduvroq. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about consuming alcohol during treatment with Jesduvroq.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” above.
Treatment with Jesduvroz can cause mild or serious side effects. In some cases, it can cause serious side effects that may require treatment. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that are bothersome or serious.
If you’d like to learn more about Jesduvroq, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Jesduvroq: For details about other aspects of Jesduvroq, refer to this article.
- Interactions: To find out about Jesduvroq’s interactions, see this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.