This medication is used to treat a certain type of blood
vessel disease: anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated
vasculitis. It works by blocking the immune system from damaging the blood
vessels.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking avacopan and each time you get a refill. If you
have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by
your doctor, usually twice daily. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew,
crush, or open the capsules.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or
for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and
your risk of side effects will increase.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each
day.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or it gets worse.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, or
tiredness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your
doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- signs of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine)
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine)
- numb/tingling skin
Severe (possibly fatal) infections can occur in people
taking avacopan. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of an
infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, cough,
shortness of breath, painful urination).
Avacopan can commonly cause a rash that is usually not
serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash
that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Get medical help right away if
you develop any rash.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking avacopan, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver problems (such as hepatitis B)
- current/recent infections (such as tuberculosis)
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of avacopan
from your body, which may affect how avacopan works. Examples include
rifamycins (such as rifampin), certain drugs used to treat seizures (such
as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.
This medication can slow down the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of
affected drugs include asunaprevir, flibanserin, lomitapide, among
others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver/kidney function,
hepatitis B screening) should be done before you start taking this
medication and while you are taking it. Keep all medical and lab
appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.