Lupkynis (voclosporin) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for lupus nephritis in adults. Lupkynis comes as an oral capsule that’s typically taken twice per day.

Lupkynis is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat active lupus nephritis in adults. It’s given along with other drugs that suppress the immune system: mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids. Lupkynis is not recommended for use along with a drug called cyclophosphamide.

Lupkynis belongs to a drug class called calcineurin inhibitors. Lupkynis is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Lupkynis, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Lupkynis, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Lupkynis provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Lupkynis, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The information below describes Lupkynis’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.

Lupkynis form

Lupkynis comes as an oral capsule.

Lupkynis strength

Lupkynis comes in one strength of 7.9 milligrams (mg). It comes in blister packs assembled into cardboard wallets. One wallet contains 60 capsules. It’s also available in a carton that contains 3 wallets (180 capsules).

Typical dosages

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

Dosage for lupus nephritis

Doctors may prescribe Lupkynis to treat lupus nephritis. The drug is typically taken with other immunosuppressant drugs: MMF and corticosteroids. (An immunosuppressant is a medication that reduces the activity of your immune system.)

If your doctor prescribes Lupkynis, your starting dosage will likely be 23.7 mg (3 capsules) taken twice per day.

During treatment, your doctor will monitor your kidney function. In some cases, they may recommend a different dosage of Lupkynis for you.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Long-term treatment

Lupkynis is not typically used as a long-term treatment. Doctors usually prescribe the drug for up to 1 year to treat lupus nephritis. It’s not known whether the drug is safe to take for longer than that or whether it is still effective when taken for more than 1 year.

Your doctor will monitor you during your Lupkynis treatment. If it’s not working for you after 24 weeks, your doctor may recommend stopping the drug.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Lupkynis.

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

  • your age
  • how your body responds to Lupkynis
  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Lupkynis
  • your liver and kidney function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Lupkynis dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as drugs called liver enzyme* inhibitors or inducers. These drugs can affect the level of Lupkynis in your body. To find out what other drugs may interact with Lupkynis, see this article.

Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you have liver damage or kidney disease or if you’re 65 years old or older.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

* A liver enzyme is a type of protein in your liver that breaks down medications.

Lupkynis comes as an oral capsule that you swallow whole.

Here is some guidance on how to take Lupkynis:

  • Take Lupkynis twice daily, with about 12 hours between doses. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Lupkynis can work effectively. Do not take your doses less than 8 hours apart.
  • Do not divide, crush, or chew the capsule or place it in water.
  • You should take Lupkynis on an empty stomach. This means you should take it 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after a meal.
  • If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Lupkynis.
  • During your treatment with Lupkynis, your doctor will likely test your kidney function and blood pressure regularly. If these tests indicate problems with these functions, your doctor may adjust your Lupkynis dosage or stop your treatment with the drug.

If you have questions about how to use Lupkynis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Lupkynis in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Lupkynis, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it’s within 4 hours of the missed dose. If more than 4 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip that dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one.

If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t take more Lupkynis than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Effects of an overdose

Overdose effects of Lupkynis can include:

  • tremors
  • headache
  • nausea and vomiting
  • infections
  • fast heartbeat
  • itching
  • lack of energy

If you take more than the recommended amount of Lupkynis

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Lupkynis. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Lupkynis.

Is the dosage of Lupkynis similar to the dosage of Benlysta?

Lupkynis and Benlysta (belimumab) are both treatments for lupus nephritis, but their forms and dosages are different.

Lupkynis comes as an oral capsule that’s taken twice daily. Benlysta, on the other hand, comes as a liquid solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection or an IV infusion. Benlysta is given once per week, once every 2 weeks, or once every 4 weeks. The dose given for each drug also differs.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Lupkynis to start working?

Lupkynis starts to work after your first dose. But it may take weeks or months to see an effect. If you’ve taken the drug for 24 weeks and your symptoms have not improved, your doctor may recommend stopping treatment.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Lupkynis treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Lupkynis for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Lupkynis without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Lupkynis that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Lupkynis. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Lupkynis: For information about other aspects of Lupkynis, refer to this article.
  • Details about lupus: For details about your condition, see our list of lupus articles.

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.