Tavneos (avacopan)

Tavneos generic

Tavneos is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Tavneos side effects

Tavneos can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Tavneos. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Tavneos, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Tavneos, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Tavneos. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Tavneos’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Tavneos can include:

• nausea and vomiting
• headache
• diarrhea
• skin rash
• fatigue
• abdominal pain
• dizziness
• tingling or burning sensations
• high blood pressure
• mild allergic reaction*

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Tavneos, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Tavneos aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• Serious infections. Symptoms can include:
  • fever
  • cough
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • pain or burning sensation when urinating
  • sores in your mouth or throat
  • warm, swollen, or painful areas of skin
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • pain in the upper right abdominal area
  • loss of appetite
  • dark-colored urine
  • bruising or bleeding easily
  • jaundice
• Kidney problems. Symptoms can include:
  • urinating less than usual
  • dark-colored urine
  • confusion
  • itching
  • swollen ankles or feet
• Severe allergic reaction.*

* For details about allergic reaction and Tavneos, see “Allergic reaction” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Tavneos. This side effect was rare in clinical trials of this drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
• trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Tavneos, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Tavneos cost

As with all medications, the cost of Tavneos can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks* for price estimates for Tavneos. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Tavneos, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic version: Tavneos is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

Tavneos dosage

The Tavneos dosage your doctor prescribes may depend on:

• other medications you may take
• other medical conditions you may have

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Tavneos comes as an oral capsule. It’s available in one strength: 10 milligrams (mg).

Dosage for ANCA-associated vasculitis

The recommended dosage for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is 30 mg (three capsules) twice per day.

About taking Tavneos

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

• When to take: You should take Tavneos in the morning and evening, about 12 hours apart. Taking the medication at around the same time of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. This helps Tavneos work effectively.
• If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, skip that dose and take your next scheduled dose as usual. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
• Taking Tavneos with food: You should take Tavneos with food. Food helps your body absorb the medication.
• Crushing, splitting, or chewing Tavneos: You should not crush, split, or chew Tavneos capsules. Swallow the capsules whole.
• Length of use: Tavneos is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tavneos is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Overdose

Do not use more Tavneos than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Tavneos

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Tavneos interactions

Tavneos can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before taking Tavneos, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

Below is a list of medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Tavneos. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Tavneos. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

*CYP3A4 is an enzyme (type of protein) in your liver that helps break down certain drugs, including Tavneos. Some drugs can change the activity of this enzyme, which can affect the level of Tavneos in your body. Drugs that are CYP3A4 inducers increase the action of CYP3A4, while drugs that are CYP3A4 inhibitors reduce its action. Drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates are other drugs broken down by CYP3A4.

Alcohol interaction

Alcohol is not known to interact with Tavneos. However, both alcohol and Tavneos can cause some similar side effects. These include dizziness, nausea, headache, diarrhea, and liver problems. You may be more likely to experience these side effects if you drink alcohol while taking Tavneos.

If you have questions about how much alcohol is safe to drink while taking Tavneos, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Tavneos uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Tavneos to treat certain conditions.

Tavneos for ANCA-associated vasculitis

Tavneos is FDA-approved to treat a rare condition called anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.

With this condition, your immune system mistakenly attacks blood vessels in your body, making them become inflamed (swollen). The swelling can restrict blood flow and cause damage to various tissues and organs, such as your kidneys and lungs.

Specifically, Tavneos is approved to treat two different forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis. These are:

• granulomatosis with polyangiitis, which was previously called Wegener’s granulomatosis
• microscopic polyangiitis

Tavneos is approved for these forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis in adults. It’s prescribed if the condition is severe and active (causing symptoms).

For this purpose, Tavneos is prescribed with other drugs for ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Examples of other drugs that may be used with Tavneos include:

• corticosteroids, such as prednisone (Rayos) or prednisolone (Orapred)
• immunosuppressants, such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), azathioprine (Imuran), or rituximab (Rituxan)

Alternative drugs

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Tavneos, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

The following drugs are alternatives to Tavneos:

• rituximab (Rituxan)
• azathioprine (Imuran)
• mycophenolate (CellCept)
• cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
• methotrexate (Trexall)

Things to consider when taking Tavneos

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Tavneos and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Tavneos should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Tavneos and birth control

It’s not known if Tavneos is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re using Tavneos.

Tavneos and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Tavneos should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Common questions about Tavneos

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Tavneos.

Can Tavneos cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. In rare cases, Tavneos may cause liver problems or kidney problems that can last for a long time after the medication is stopped.

Your doctor will likely monitor your liver and kidneys during treatment with Tavneos. This will allow them to spot any problems and manage them quickly.

If you’re concerned about the risk of long-term side effects with Tavneos, talk with your doctor.

Will Tavneos cure my vasculitis?

No, there isn’t currently a cure for the types of vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) that Tavneos treats. Tavneos is FDA-approved to treat a rare condition called anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.

However, treatment with Tavneos can make your condition go into remission. With remission, you don’t have any signs or symptoms of the condition. Continuing Tavneos can help prevent your condition from relapsing (coming back). But it’s still possible for your condition to relapse and your symptoms to come back again.

To find out how Tavneos performed in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information. Note that not everyone taking Tavneos will have the same results. To learn more about what you can expect with this medication, talk with your doctor.

Is Tavenos a steroid?

No, Tavneos is not a steroid. Instead, it’s a type of immunosuppressant drug called a complement 5a receptor (C5aR) antagonist.

Steroids (also called corticosteroids) are drugs that reduce inflammation (swelling). They’re one of the main treatments prescribed for ANCA-associated vasculitis, which Tavneos is used to treat. With this condition, your immune system mistakenly attacks your blood vessels, making them inflamed (swollen). Steroids help reduce this inflammation.

Tavneos also reduces inflammation in your blood vessels, but it works in a different way than steroids. Tavneos works by blocking a particular protein used by part of your immune system. This stops your immune system from attacking your blood vessels and making them inflamed.

If you have questions about how Tavenos works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.