What You Need to Know About Avacopan (Tavneos®) for GPA/MPA -Part One 2025

Dr. Nicole Orzechowski, Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of the UNC Rheumatology Clinic, provides an overview of Avacopan (Tavneos). Dr. Orzechowski explains: o The purpose of Avacopan o A brief history and background of the development of this drug o Potential side effects and interactions with other medications 0:00 2:54 What is avacopan? 3:40 Background and development. 6:30 Key Study. 8:37 What does avacopan do? 9:48 Possible side effects and risks. 11:36 Drug interactions. 13:05 Patient selection considerations. 14:49 Monitoring and follow-up. 15:50 What have we learned about avacopan since 2021? 18:28 Pros and cons 19:53 Learn more about avacopan from these resources. 20:38 Q: Can you explain induction therapy? 22:37 Q: Can you talk about this drug for pediatrics? 23:22 Q: Talk about balancing the kidney vs the liver when taking avacopan. 25:28 Q: Is avacopan effective with an EGPA diagnosis? 26:21 Q: Is avacopan ever used in place of prednisone for the treatment of GCA? 26:53 Q: How far are they into the Stage 4 five-year trial to understand long-term implications? 28:13 Q: When you are first diagnosed, are there some patients who start with a drug like Rituximab and just avacopan, or does everyone get some steroids? 28:43 Q: With liver toxicity being an issue, would taking a liquid liver supplement be suggested? 29:11 Q: When trying to do a reeducation off of Rituximab and avacopan, would you try to taper off Rituximab or avacopan first? 29:56 Q: How can I enroll in the Phase Four trial? 30:30 Q: In the Advocate Trial, were the patients matched on their intolerance to steroids? 31:03 Q: Can you clarify whether avacopan was used in conjunction with prednisone in the trials? 33:10 Q: If you’ve lost one of your own kidneys and have a transplanted kidney, is avacopan indicated along with it? 34:09 Q: The drug makes me feel so much better, but the cost factor is so out of reach. 36:09 Q: Is there a blood test to see if avacopan is making a difference? 37:09 Q: What does it mean when you say, active severe disease? 37:56 Q: Do we have data from those who have been on avacopan for a year? 38:43 Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of avacopan? 39:02 Q: Can you just stop cold turkey with taking avacopan? 40:42 Q: What is a flare? Visit the Vasculitis Foundation (www.vasculitisfoundation.org).