Do you or someone you love live with lupus? Sometimes, this condition causes your immune system to make mistakes and attack your own kidneys. Doctors call this condition lupus nephritis. When this happens, special treatments are needed to keep your kidneys safe and healthy.
One of the newer medicines used to treat this kidney condition is called voclosporin. Understanding how this medicine works, how to take it safely, and what side effects to watch out for can help you feel more confident about your treatment plan.
Key Takeaways About Voclosporin
- Voclosporin helps control inflammation in your kidneys caused by lupus.
- Take your capsules on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after meals.
- Never drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking this medicine.
- Tell your doctor about every medicine, supplement, or herbal product you use.
- Avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine, as it can harm an unborn baby.
eGFR calculator using the CKD-EPI 2021 equation. Estimate kidney function from creatinine and identify CKD stage.
What Is Voclosporin?
Simply put, voclosporin is a medicine used to control the swelling and inflammation in your kidneys caused by lupus. The common brand name for this medicine is LUPKYNIS. Normally, your immune system protects you from germs. But with lupus, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of your body, including your kidneys.
Voclosporin works by calming down your overactive immune system. By keeping your immune system from attacking your kidneys, this medicine helps lower the risk of lasting kidney damage. It works alongside other treatments to help you feel better.
The most important thing to remember is that this medicine does not cure lupus completely. However, when used with other treatments, it provides great relief and helps protect your kidneys from further harm.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before Starting This Medicine
Before your doctor prescribes voclosporin, they need to know your complete health history. This ensures the medicine is safe for you. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following health conditions:
- Heart disease or high blood pressure.
- An irregular heartbeat or rhythm problems.
- Any kidney or liver disease.
- Other problems with your immune system.
- An active infection, such as a fever, cough, or cold.
- Plans to receive a vaccine soon, or if you got one recently.
- Any allergies to voclosporin, other medicines, foods, or dyes.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding a baby. This is very important.
Sharing these details helps your doctor choose the safest and most effective treatment plan for your specific needs.
How to Use This Medicine
Taking your medicine correctly is vital for getting the best results. Always follow your doctor's exact instructions.
- Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water.
- Never crush, chew, or break the capsules open. Doing so can change how the medicine works in your body.
- Take your dose on an empty stomach, either one hour before meals or two hours after meals.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day. Leave about twelve hours between your morning and evening doses.
- Never take two doses closer together than eight hours.
- Never eat grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking voclosporin. Grapefruit can dangerously increase the amount of medicine in your blood.
- Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so.
What If You Take Too Much?
If you accidentally take more medicine than prescribed, act quickly. Go straight to the nearest hospital emergency department (ER) or accident and emergency (A&E) unit. If you live in the US, call 911 right away. If you live in the UK, call 999 right away.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your medicine at the usual time, do not panic.
- If you remember within four hours of your scheduled time, take the missed dose right away.
- If more than four hours have passed, skip the missed dose completely. Take your next dose at the normal scheduled time.
- Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Other Medicines That May Interact
Voclosporin can interact with many other substances. Because of this, you must tell your doctor about every product you use. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements like St. John's wort.
| Medicine Category | Description and Examples |
|---|---|
| Medicines Never to Take With Voclosporin | |
| Antifungal Medicines | Strong antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole. |
| HIV or Hepatitis Drugs | Certain antiviral medicines like ritonavir or atazanavir. |
| Antibiotics | Certain antibiotics like clarithromycin. |
| Grapefruit Products | Fresh grapefruit or packaged grapefruit juice. |
| Medicines to Discuss With Your Doctor First | |
| Cholesterol Drugs | Statins such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, or rosuvastatin. |
| Seizure Medicines | Drugs like phenytoin or carbamazepine. |
| Herbal Supplements | Herbal products like St. John's wort. |
This list is not complete. Always share a full list of your medicines, smoking habits, and alcohol use with your doctor to keep yourself safe.
Things to Watch While Taking This Medicine
- Protect Against Infections: Because this medicine lowers your immune system, you catch infections more easily. Watch for fever, chills, sore throat, cough, or burning when you urinate. If you notice these signs, contact your doctor right away. Stay away from people who are sick when possible.
- Protect Your Skin From the Sun: This medicine can make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight. Wear hats, long sleeves, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen recommended by your doctor when you go outside.
- Prevent Pregnancy: Do not get pregnant while taking voclosporin. It can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. If you are breastfeeding, do not take this medicine, as it can pass into your breast milk.
- Cancer Risk: Taking medicines that suppress your immune system for a long time may slightly increase your risk of certain cancers, such as skin cancer. Do not panic about this risk, but talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, voclosporin can cause side effects. Some are mild. This others need quick medical attention.
| Serious Side Effects That Need Immediate Medical Help | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rashes, itching, or swelling of your face, lips, and tongue. |
| Heart Rhythm Changes | A racing heartbeat, irregular heartbeats, or chest pain. |
| Kidney Strain | Passing much less urine than normal or having trouble urinating. |
| High Blood Pressure | Severe headaches, dizziness, or changes in your vision. |
| Nervous System Signs | Seizures, hand tremors, numbness, or extreme confusion. |
| Low Red Blood Cells | Trouble breathing, fainting, pale skin, or extreme tiredness. |
| Common Side Effects to Report If They Continue | |
| Stomach Upset or Diarrhea | Headaches |
| Hair Thinning or Hair Loss | General body tiredness |
This list does not include every possible side effect. If you feel strange or notice unusual changes in your body, talk to your doctor right away.
When to Call Emergency Services
Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) or go to your nearest emergency room right away if you experience severe chest pain, sudden trouble breathing, signs of a severe allergic reaction, or a seizure.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Voclosporin helps manage kidney inflammation caused by lupus when taken exactly as your doctor prescribes.
- Take your capsules on an empty stomach and stay away from grapefruit products completely.
- Tell your medical team about all other drugs, vitamins, and herbal products you take.
- Report fevers, unusual heartbeats, or changes in urination to your doctor right away.
- Avoid pregnancy while taking this medicine, as it is not safe for nursing mothers or unborn babies.
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