Voclosporin
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From MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Boxed warning
WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS Increased risk for developing malignancies and serious infections with LUPKYNIS or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.2 )]. WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with LUPKYNIS or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death. ( 5.1 , 5.2 )
Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant
Dosing in kidney impairment
Dosage Recommendations in Patients with Renal and Hepatic Impairment Use of LUPKYNIS is not recommended in patients with a baseline eGFR ≤45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 unless the benefit exceeds the risk; LUPKYNIS has not been studied in patients with a baseline eGFR ≤45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . If used in patients with severe renal impairment at baseline, the recommended starting dose is 15.8 mg twice a day [see Use in Specific Populations and Clinical Pharmacology] .
In patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B), the recommended dose is 15.8 mg twice daily. LUPKYNIS is not recommended to be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) [see Use in Specific Populations and Clinical Pharmacology] .
Dosing in liver impairment
Hepatic Impairment In patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B), reduce the LUPKYNIS dosage [see Dosage and Administration] . Avoid LUPKYNIS in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) [see Clinical Pharmacology] .
Preparation and administration
Important Administration Instructions LUPKYNIS capsules must be swallowed whole and must not be opened, crushed, or divided. LUPKYNIS should be taken on an empty stomach consistently as close to a 12-hour schedule as possible, and with a minimum of 8 hours between doses. If a dose is missed, instruct the patient to take it as soon as possible within 4 hours after missing the dose.
Beyond the 4-hour time frame, instruct the patient to wait until the usual scheduled time to take the next regular dose. Instruct the patient not to double the next dose. Instruct patients to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking LUPKYNIS [see Drug Interactions] .
Drug interactions
Check voclosporin against a medication listLabel text (6 paragraphs)
Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors: Reduce LUPKYNIS daily dosage to 15.8 mg in the morning and 7.9 mg in the evening. ( 2.5 , 7.1 , 12.3 ) Strong and moderate CYP3A4 inducers: Avoid co-administration. ( 7.1 , 12.3 ) Certain P-gp substrates: Reduce dosage of certain P-gp substrates with a narrow therapeutic window when co-administered with LUPKYNIS. ( 7.2 , 12.3 )
7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on LUPKYNIS Strong and Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors Voclosporin is a sensitive CYP3A4 substrate. Co-administration with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors increases voclosporin exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may increase the risk of LUPKYNIS adverse reactions. Co-administration of LUPKYNIS with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin) is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Reduce LUPKYNIS dosage when co-administered with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., verapamil, fluconazole, diltiazem) [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ] . Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit when taking LUPKYNIS.
Strong and Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers Voclosporin is a sensitive CYP3A4 substrate. Co-administration with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers decreases voclosporin exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may decrease the efficacy of LUPKYNIS. Avoid co-administration of LUPKYNIS with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers.
7.2 Effect of LUPKYNIS on Other Drugs Certain P-gp Substrates Voclosporin is a P-gp inhibitor. Co-administration of voclosporin increases exposure of P-gp substrates [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may increase the risk of adverse reactions of these substrates. For certain P-gp substrates with a narrow therapeutic window, reduce the dosage of the substrate as recommended in its prescribing information, if needed. OATP1B1 Substrates Voclosporin is an inhibitor of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 transporters.
In one clinical study the concomitant administration of a single 40 mg dose of simvastatin with 23.7 mg BID voclosporin increased C max and AUC of the active metabolite simvastatin acid (an OATP1B1 substrate) by 3.1-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Monitor for adverse reactions such as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when OATP1B1/OATP1B3 substrates (e.g., simvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, fluvastatin) are used concomitantly with LUPKYNIS and reduce the dosage of these substrates as recommended in their prescribing information.
For example, when taking LUPKYNIS with simvastatin, limit the simvastatin dosage to 20 mg daily, or 40 mg daily for patients who have previously tolerated simvastatin 80 mg daily for at least one year without evidence of muscle toxicity.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS LUPKYNIS is contraindicated in: Patients concomitantly using strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin) because these medications can significantly increase exposure to LUPKYNIS which may increase the risk of acute and/or chronic nephrotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ), and Pharmacokinetics ( 12.3 )] . Patients with a history of serious or severe hypersensitivity reaction, including anaphylaxis, to LUPKYNIS or any of its excipients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] . Patients concomitantly using strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin).
( 4 ) History of serious or severe hypersensitivity reaction, including anaphylaxis, to LUPKYNIS or any of its excipients. ( 4 )
Safety data
Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Liver injury (LiverTox)
ELikelihood score E: Unlikely cause of clinically apparent liver injury.
Voclosporin is an orally available calcineurin inhibitor and potent immunosuppressive agent which is used in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids to treat acute lupus nephritis. Voclosporin may be associated with low rate of transient serum enzyme elevations during treatment but has not been linked to instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury with jaundice.
ABCDEA: well known cause; E: unlikely cause. [HD]: high doses only.
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Avoid use of LUPKYNIS in pregnant women due to the alcohol content of the drug formulation. The available data on the use of LUPKYNIS in pregnant patients are insufficient to determine whether there is a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (see Clinical Considerations ) . LUPKYNIS may be used in combination with a background immunosuppressive therapy regimen that includes MMF. MMF used in pregnant women and men whose female partners are pregnant can cause fetal harm (major birth defects and miscarriage).
Refer to the MMF prescribing information for more information on its use during pregnancy. In animal reproductive studies, oral administration of either voclosporin or a 50:50 mixture of voclosporin and its cis-isomer was embryocidal and fetocidal in rats and rabbits at doses 15- and 1-times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 23.7 mg twice a day, based on drug exposure AUC. There were no treatment-related fetal malformations or variations. Additional findings of reduced placental and fetal body weights occurred in rabbits at 0.1 to 0.3-times the MRHD and in rats at higher drug exposures. Voclosporin was transferred across the placenta in pregnant rats.
For rats, but not all doses in rabbits, these effects were associated with maternal toxicity consisting of reductions in body weight gain. Dystocia was evident in a pre- and postnatal study in rats, but there were no effects of voclosporin on postnatal growth and development (see Data ) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Pregnant women with SLE are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including worsening of the underlying disease, premature birth, miscarriage, and intrauterine growth restriction. Maternal LN increases the risk of hypertension and preeclampsia/eclampsia. Passage of maternal autoantibodies across the placenta may result in adverse neonatal outcomes, including neonatal lupus and congenital heart block. Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions The formulation of LUPKYNIS contains…
Breastfeeding (LactMed)
No information is available on the excretion of voclosporin into breastmilk. Because voclosporin has a molecular weight of 1214 Da and is 97%, plasma protein bound, it is unlikely to enter breastmilk in large amounts. However, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Supply and cost
Drug shortage status
Recalls (last 24 months)
Therapeutic equivalence (Orange Book)
Price ladder
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