Jesduvroq (daprodustat) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat anemia in chronic (long-term) kidney disease. Jesduvroq can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include serious heart and blood vessel problems.

Specifically, Jesduvroq is used in certain adults to treat anemia in chronic kidney disease. These adults must have received dialysis for at least 4 months.

The active ingredient in Jesduvroq is daprodustat. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as an oral tablet.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Jesduvroq can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Jesduvroq treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

The following sections include more side effects of Jesduvroq. Each person’s experiences with side effects may differ.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† Jesduvroq has a boxed warning about this risk. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Mild side effects have been reported with Jesduvroq. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be managed easily. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Jesduvroq unless your doctor recommends it.

Jesduvroq may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Serious side effects have been reported with Jesduvroq. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Jesduvroq, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Jesduvroq, visit MedWatch.

Learn more about some of the side effects Jesduvroq may cause.

Increased risk of death and serious heart and blood vessel problems

Jesduvroq has a boxed warning for the increased risk of death and serious heart and blood vessel problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Certain serious heart and blood vessel problems were more common than others in studies of Jesduvroq. For example, blood clots at the dialysis access site* were more common. But blood clots in the lungs, blood clots in a deep vein, heart attack, and stroke were less common.

In extreme cases or if untreated, serious heart and blood vessel problems can be fatal. Serious heart and blood vessel problems may cause symptoms such as:

  • blood clots: skin that’s discolored or warm, and swelling or pain in the affected area
  • heart attack: sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, and pain in your shoulder, neck, chest, or arm
  • stroke: slurred speech, confusion, and numbness or weakness on one side of your body or face

Certain factors increase the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems while taking this drug. One factor may be having a hemoglobin level that’s greater than the recommended range. This is why doctors will prescribe the lowest dosage of Jesduvroq that’s needed for your condition.

Another factor that increases this risk is having had any of the following in the past 3 months: acute coronary syndrome, heart attack, or stroke. For people with these factors, doctors aren’t likely to prescribe Jesduvroq.

* The dialysis access site is an opening in your blood vessels created through surgery. It connects with the dialysis machine.

What might help

If you have symptoms of a blood clot during Jesduvroq treatment, call your doctor right away. But if your symptoms are related to stroke or heart attack or seem life threatening, call 911 or a local emergency number. A healthcare professional likely will stop your Jesduvroq treatment and give you emergency treatments to help manage these side effects.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure was a common side effect reported in studies of Jesduvroq. High blood pressure doesn’t typically cause symptoms unless it’s severe. Severely high blood pressure may cause symptoms such as:

  • nosebleeds
  • dizziness
  • headache

If you already have high blood pressure that’s not well managed, Jesduvroq could increase your blood pressure to a dangerously high level. Blood pressure that is dangerously high may cause brain swelling or seizures.

What might help

If you have high blood pressure that’s not well managed, talk with your doctor before starting Jesduvroq treatment. They likely won’t prescribe the drug until your blood pressure is better managed. Your doctor may suggest alternatives to Jesduvroq for your condition.

During Jesduvroq treatment, your doctor may have you check your blood pressure at home. They’ll also check your blood pressure periodically in their office or clinic. Your doctor can give you more information about high blood pressure and what to do if you have it while taking Jesduvroq.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Jesduvroq can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Jesduvroq, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Jesduvroq, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Jesduvroq treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Jesduvroq affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Jesduvroq.

Boxed warning: Increased risk of death and serious heart and blood vessel problems

Jesduvroq has a boxed warning for the increased risk of death and serious heart and blood vessel problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Taking Jesduvroq may lead to blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. In extreme cases or if untreated, these side effects could be fatal.

Certain factors can increase the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems while taking this drug. These include:

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Jesduvroq can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Jesduvroq is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Jesduvroq. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Alcohol and Jesduvroq

No interactions between alcohol and Jesduvroq are known.

But keep in mind that both Jesduvroq and alcohol may cause damage to the lining of your esophagus, intestines, or stomach. So drinking alcohol during Jesduvroq treatment could raise your risk even further.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol during Jesduvroq treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Jesduvroq

Before starting Jesduvroq treatment, it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Jesduvroq is usually prescribed for someone who’s breastfeeding only if the benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risks to the child.

Pregnancy

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Jesduvroq during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Jesduvroq.

Breastfeeding

It isn’t known whether Jesduvroq is safe to take while breastfeeding. Your doctor likely will recommend that you not breastfeed during your Jesduvroq treatment. You also will need to avoid breastfeeding for 1 week or longer after your Jesduvroq treatment ends.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor about your options.

Like most drugs, Jesduvroq can cause a number of side effects that range from mild to serious. But most are temporary and go away after a few days to weeks. If you have questions about side effects that Jesduvroq can cause, talk with your doctor.

Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • Will I need any lab tests to monitor for side effects of Jesduvroq?
  • Do I have a higher risk of any side effects from Jesduvroq because of my health history?
  • Could other medications I take raise my risk of side effects from Jesduvroq?

To learn more about Jesduvroq, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.