Tavneos (avacopan) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) in adults. Tavneos comes as a capsule that’s typically taken twice per day.
Tavneos is approved to treat antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis in adults. The two specific types of ANCA-associated vasculitis Tavneos is approved to treat include:
- granulomatosis with polyangiitis
- microscopic polyangiitis
Tavneos belongs to a drug class called complement 5a receptor (C5aR) antagonists, a type of immunosuppressant. Tavneos is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Tavneos, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Tavneos, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Tavneos provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Tavneos, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Read below for details about Tavneos’s dosage for its approved use.
Tavneos form
Tavneos comes as an oral capsule.
Tavneos strength
Tavneos comes in one strength of 10 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed 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 ANCA-associated vasculitis
Tavneos is prescribed to treat ANCA-associated vasculitis.
For this use, the recommended dosage is 30 mg (three capsules), taken twice per day. Tavneos is typically prescribed in addition to ongoing treatment with another immunosuppressant, such as azathioprine or a glucocorticoid.
Long-term treatment
Tavneos is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tavneos is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Tavneos, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
The Tavneos dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on certain factors. These include any other medications you may take or health conditions you may have.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to decrease your dosage if you take certain medications, such as CYP3A4 inhibitors. These drugs decrease the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme, which helps the liver break down medication.
Due to the way these drugs work, they may affect how well your body can process Tavneos. To find out what drugs may interact with Tavneos, talk with your doctor. It’s important to tell them about any medications you take.
Tavneos comes as an oral capsule that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the capsule in water. Be sure to take your dose with a meal or snack.
It may be helpful to take Tavneos around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Tavneos can work effectively.
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.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome 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 Tavneos in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Tavneos, skip the missed dose. Then, take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose. 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 Tavneos than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Tavneos
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Tavneos. 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 Tavneos.
Is the dosage of Tavneos similar to the dosage of Rituxan?
No, the forms and how often you take each drug are different. Tavneos is an oral capsule taken twice per day. Rituxan (rituximab) is an intravenous (IV) infusion given by your healthcare professional every 6 months or as determined by your doctor.
The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor. To learn more about Rituxan’s dosage, see this article.
How long does it take for Tavneos to start working?
Tavneos starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Tavneos treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tavneos 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 Tavneos without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Tavneos that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Tavneos. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Tavneos: For information about other aspects of Tavneos, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Tavneos, see this article. You can also look at the Tavneos prescribing information.
- Details about your condition: For details about vasculitis, see our cardiovascular health hub.
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.