Lupkynis (Voclosporin) for Lupus

Overview
Lupkynis is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with active lupus nephritis. It is indicated in combination with a background immunosuppressive therapy regiment. Lupkynis is also known by its drug name, voclosporin.

Lupkynis is an FDA-approved oral therapy for lupus nephritis. Lupkynis is a member of a class of drugs called calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressants. Lupkynis is believed to work by binding to an enzyme (protein) called calcineurin. This keeps white blood cells from triggering an autoimmune response, reducing inflammation in the kidneys.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Lupkynis is given orally as a capsule approximately every 12 hours on an empty stomach. It should be taken exactly as prescribed by the physician.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Lupkynis lists common side effects that include diarrhea, headache, anemia (low red blood cell count), cough, urinary tract infection, abdominal pain, hair loss, reduced kidney function, mouth sores, fatigue, tremor, and decreased appetite.

Serious side effects listed for Lupkynis include high blood pressure, acute kidney injury, nerve damage, abnormal heart electrical activity, and high blood potassium levels.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Highlights of Prescribing Information: Lupkynis — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/...

Lupkynis (Voclosporin): What You Need To Know — Lupus Foundation of America
https://www.lupus.org/resources/lupkynis-voclos...