Do you or someone you know have lupus? Sometimes this disease can affect the kidneys due to certain changes in our immune system. We call this lupus nephritis. So today we are talking about a special medicine that is given to treat this kind of condition. That is a medicine called Voclosporin.
What is Voclosporin?
Simply put, Voclosporin is a drug that is used to control inflammation in the kidneys caused by lupus. Its brand name is LUPKYNIS. Our body's immune system sometimes mistakenly attacks our own kidneys. This drug, called Voclosporin, works by controlling the overactive immune system and reducing the damage it causes to the kidneys.
The important thing is that this is not a cure for lupus, but it can provide significant relief when combined with other treatments to control the effects of the disease on the kidneys.
What should I tell the doctor before using this medicine?
Before prescribing Voclosporin, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you have heart disease or high blood pressure .
- If the heartbeat is irregular.
- If you have any kidney or liver disease.
- If there are other problems related to the body's immune system .
- If you have an existing infection (such as fever, cold, cough).
- If you have recently received a vaccine or are scheduled to receive one in the future.
- If you have an allergic reaction to Voclosporin or any other medicine, food, or dye .
- If you are pregnant , trying to get pregnant , or breastfeeding , this is very important.
This information will greatly help the doctor provide you with the most appropriate and safest treatment.
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly when using this medicine.
- Swallow this capsule whole with water.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. Doing so may affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
- This should be taken on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after eating.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day. Leave at least 12 hours between doses. Never take two doses less than 8 hours apart.
- Never take this medication with grapefruit juice. This can increase the effectiveness of the medication unnecessarily and cause serious side effects.
- Don't stop taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to.
What if you think you've taken too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken more medicine than prescribed, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
Don't worry if you forget to take your medicine.
- If you miss a dose and remember within 4 hours , take it as soon as you remember.
- However, if it's been more than 4 hours since you missed a dose, skip that dose completely and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
- Do not take two doses of medicine at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Voclosporin is a drug that can interact with other medications. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, not just those prescribed by a doctor, but also those you buy from a pharmacy, Ayurvedic medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements.
| Drug category | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Drugs that should never be taken with Voclosporin | |
| Antifungal drugs | Some powerful antifungals like Ketoconazole and Itraconazole. |
| HIV/Hepatitis drugs | Some antivirals such as Ritonavir and Atazanavir. |
| Antibiotics | Some antibiotics, such as clarithromycin. |
| Grapefruit | Grapefruit fruit or its juice. |
| Medications to discuss with your doctor before use | |
| Cholesterol medications | Drugs such as Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, Rosuvastatin. |
| Medications for epilepsy | Drugs like Phenytoin and Carbamazepine. |
| Herbal products | Herbal supplements such as St. John's wort. |
This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, it is very important for your own safety to tell your doctor about all the medications you take, if you smoke, and if you drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Protect yourself from infections: Since this medicine suppresses your body's immune system to some extent, you are more likely to get sick, especially infections. Therefore, if you experience any symptoms of an infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, or urinary tract infection , do not self-medicate and tell your doctor immediately. Minimize contact with sick people as much as possible.
- Be careful with the sun: This medication may make your skin sensitive to the sun. Therefore, wear a hat, long-sleeved clothing, and use a good sunscreen after consulting your doctor.
- Avoid becoming pregnant: Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. This can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Also, if you are a nursing mother, do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine.
- Cancer risk: Taking these immune-suppressing medications long-term may slightly increase the risk of some types of cancer (e.g., skin cancer). Don't be alarmed by this, but talk to your doctor about this for more information.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Voclosporin can cause side effects in some people. Some are severe, while others are mild.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, chest pain. |
| Kidney damage | Decreased urine output or difficulty urinating. |
| Increased blood pressure | Severe headaches, dizziness, vision changes. |
| Characteristics of the nervous system | Seizures, tremors, numbness, severe confusion. |
| Decrease in red blood cells | Difficulty breathing, fainting, paleness, extreme fatigue. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome: | |
| Stomach ache, diarrhea | Headache |
| Hair loss | Feeling tired |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Voclosporin is a medication that is prescribed to control the effects of lupus on the kidneys and should be used only as directed by your doctor.
- Take this medicine on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after a meal. Never take it with grapefruit juice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking, especially medications, vitamins, and herbs for other conditions.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as fever, chills, changes in heart rate, or changes in the amount of urine you pass, tell your doctor immediately.
- Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication. It is also not suitable for breastfeeding mothers.
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