Home Drug Guide Avacopan

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Avacopan

Brand Names Tavneos

Classification

Therapeutic: Antirheumatic agent (specifically for vasculitis),

Pharmacological: Complement 5a receptor antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV)

Mechanism of Action

Avacopan selectively inhibits the C5a receptor, blocking C5a-mediated activation of neutrophils and reducing inflammation in vasculitis.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 30 mg twice daily after a 2-week period of 30 mg once daily during the induction phase, adjusted based on response and tolerability.

Pediatric: Not currently approved or established

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustment provided, use cautiously in elderly

Renal Impairment: Adjustments not specified; use with caution

Hepatic Impairment: No specific recommendations provided.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid, with peak concentrations in 1-2 hours

Distribution: Widely distributed, plasma protein binding approximately 69%

Metabolism: Primarily via non-enzymatic hydrolysis; no CYP450 involvement

Excretion: Renally excreted predominantly as inactive metabolites

Half Life: Approximately 22 hours

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to avacopan or excipients

Precautions

  • Use in hepatic impairment not studied; monitor for signs of infection, as immune modulation may increase infection risk.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Less common)
  • Headache (Less common)
  • Upper respiratory tract infections (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Infections (Uncommon but serious)
  • Infusion-related reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • No significant interactions identified yet

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No specific food interactions reported

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • No data available

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of infection, hepatic function, and blood counts

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection
  • Impaired liver function

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, monitor patient response, manage side effects

Evaluation: Assess symptom control and adverse effects during treatment

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report any signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat) immediately.
  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Maintain regular follow-up appointments for laboratory monitoring.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently

Genetic Factors: Not specified

Lab Test Interference: Not reported

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Potential increased risk of infections or adverse effects

Treatment: Supportive care, symptomatic treatment, and consultation with poison control or a medical toxicologist.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for specified period

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.