What is Daprodustat: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Daprodustat is a newer medication that helps your body produce more red blood cells naturally. It's primarily used to treat anemia in people with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis, working by encouraging your body to make the red blood cells it needs to carry oxygen throughout your system.

What is Daprodustat?

Daprodustat is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called HIF-PHI (hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors). Think of it as a medication that mimics what happens when your body senses it needs more oxygen-carrying red blood cells. It works by blocking certain enzymes, which then signals your body to produce more of a hormone called erythropoietin.

This hormone tells your bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Unlike traditional treatments that require injections, daprodustat comes as a tablet you can take by mouth. It's designed specifically for people whose kidneys aren't working well enough to produce adequate amounts of this important hormone on their own.

What is Daprodustat Used For?

Daprodustat is specifically approved to treat anemia in adults with chronic kidney disease who are receiving dialysis. Anemia happens when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body's tissues, leaving you feeling tired and weak.

When your kidneys don't work properly, they often can't produce enough erythropoietin, the hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. This leads to anemia, which affects most people with advanced kidney disease. Daprodustat helps fill this gap by encouraging your body to produce more of this crucial hormone naturally.

Your doctor might consider this medication if you're already on dialysis and experiencing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, or weakness due to low red blood cell counts. It's not used for other types of anemia that aren't related to kidney disease.

How Does Daprodustat Work?

Daprodustat works by tricking your body into thinking it needs more oxygen. It blocks specific enzymes called prolyl hydroxylases, which normally break down a protein that signals for red blood cell production. When these enzymes are blocked, your body thinks oxygen levels are low and responds by making more erythropoietin.

This is considered a moderate-strength medication that works gradually over time. Unlike emergency treatments, daprodustat doesn't provide immediate results. It typically takes several weeks to see meaningful changes in your red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels.

The medication essentially helps restore a natural process that your kidneys can no longer perform effectively. It's designed to provide steady, consistent stimulation of red blood cell production rather than the peaks and valleys that can occur with injection-based treatments.

How Should I Take Daprodustat?

Take daprodustat exactly as your doctor prescribes, usually once daily with or without food. You can take it with water, and there's no need to take it with milk or any specific beverage. The timing doesn't need to coincide with meals, so you can choose whatever time works best for your daily routine.

If you're taking it on dialysis days, you can take it either before or after your dialysis session. Your doctor will start you on a specific dose based on your current hemoglobin levels and may adjust it over time based on how your body responds.

Swallow the tablet whole without crushing, breaking, or chewing it. Try to take it at the same time each day to help maintain steady levels in your bloodstream. If you normally take other medications, daprodustat can usually be taken alongside them, but always check with your healthcare provider about timing.

How Long Should I Take Daprodustat For?

Most people with chronic kidney disease on dialysis need to take daprodustat long-term, often for years or as long as they remain on dialysis. This is because the underlying kidney problem that causes anemia doesn't go away, so your body continues to need help producing enough red blood cells.

Your doctor will monitor your blood levels regularly, typically every few weeks initially, then less frequently once your levels stabilize. They'll adjust your dose as needed to keep your hemoglobin in the target range. Some people may need dose changes based on how their body responds or if their kidney function changes.

The duration of treatment really depends on your individual situation. If you receive a kidney transplant, your doctor might be able to stop this medication since a healthy transplanted kidney can produce erythropoietin on its own. Never stop taking daprodustat without discussing it with your healthcare provider first.

What Are the Side Effects of Daprodustat?

Like all medications, daprodustat can cause side effects, though many people tolerate it well. Understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared and know when to contact your healthcare provider.

The most common side effects you might experience include:

• Headache
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• High blood pressure
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Fatigue (which may seem contradictory since the medication treats anemia-related fatigue)

These common side effects are usually mild and often improve as your body adjusts to the medication. However, you should still mention them to your doctor during your regular check-ups.

More serious side effects can occur, though they're less common. These include blood clots, which can be dangerous if they travel to your lungs, heart, or brain. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe headache, or pain and swelling in your legs.

Some people may experience an allergic reaction, which could include rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Rarely, daprodustat might cause your hemoglobin to rise too quickly or too high, which can also be problematic. This is why regular blood monitoring is so important.

Who Should Not Take Daprodustat?

Daprodustat isn't suitable for everyone, and your doctor will carefully consider your medical history before prescribing it. You should not take this medication if you have certain heart conditions, particularly if you've recently had a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.

People with certain types of cancer may not be good candidates for daprodustat, as stimulating red blood cell production could potentially worsen some cancers. If you have a history of blood clots or conditions that increase your risk of clotting, your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks very carefully.

You should also avoid daprodustat if you're allergic to any of its ingredients. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should discuss alternatives with their doctor, as the safety of daprodustat during pregnancy hasn't been fully established.

Your doctor will also consider your current medications, as some drugs can interact with daprodustat. People with severe liver disease may need dose adjustments or alternative treatments. Age alone isn't a reason to avoid daprodustat, but older adults may need closer monitoring.

Daprodustat Brand Names

Daprodustat is available under the brand name Jesduvroq in the United States. This is the commercial name you'll see on your prescription bottle and medication packaging. In some other countries, it may be marketed under different brand names, but the active ingredient remains the same.

When discussing this medication with your healthcare providers or pharmacist, you can refer to it by either its generic name (daprodustat) or its brand name (Jesduvroq). Both terms refer to the same medication, and healthcare professionals will understand either name.

Always make sure you're receiving the correct medication by checking both the generic and brand names on your prescription. If you have any questions about what you've been prescribed, don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist for clarification.

Daprodustat Alternatives

If daprodustat isn't right for you, several alternatives exist for treating anemia in chronic kidney disease. The most common alternatives are injectable medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), such as epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa.

These injectable medications work similarly to daprodustat by stimulating red blood cell production, but they require regular injections either under the skin or into a vein. Some people prefer these established treatments, while others appreciate that daprodustat offers an oral option.

Iron supplements are often used alongside any anemia treatment, as your body needs adequate iron to make healthy red blood cells. In some cases, blood transfusions might be necessary if anemia is severe or if other treatments aren't working effectively.

Your doctor will help determine which treatment approach is best for your specific situation, considering factors like your medical history, lifestyle preferences, and how well different treatments work for you.

Is Daprodustat Better Than Epoetin Alfa?

Daprodustat and epoetin alfa are both effective treatments for anemia in kidney disease, but they work in slightly different ways and have different advantages. The choice between them depends on your individual needs and preferences rather than one being definitively better than the other.

Daprodustat offers the convenience of being an oral medication you can take at home, while epoetin alfa requires regular injections. Some people find the oral option more convenient and less invasive, especially if they're already dealing with multiple medical procedures.

Clinical studies have shown that daprodustat can be as effective as epoetin alfa in maintaining healthy hemoglobin levels. However, epoetin alfa has been used for much longer, so doctors have more experience with its long-term effects and how to manage any side effects that might arise.

The decision often comes down to practical considerations like your comfort with injections, your lifestyle, and how your body responds to treatment. Your doctor will help you weigh these factors to choose the best option for your situation.