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What is Lupus Nephritis?

Lupus nephritis is a seriousand common complication of lupus

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The kidneys are vital organs, and lupus nephritis is an irreversible and progressive condition that puts them at risk for long term complications. If left untreated, the inflammation caused by lupus nephritis destroys kidney tissue. This irreversible damage impairs kidney function and can lead to significant health problems, permanent kidney damage, and even kidney failure, known as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Lupus nephritis may be more common than you think

About 1 out of 2 people with lupus develop lupus nephritis over time. Compared to non-Hispanic White people, disease prevalence is roughly:

4 times higher for people of African and Asian descent

2 times higher for Hispanic and Native peoples

Common signs and symptoms of lupus nephritis are:

Swelling (often in the feet, ankles, or legs)

Foamy, frothy, or sudsy urine

Blood in the urine (called hematuria)

Protein in the urine (called proteinuria)

Symptoms can be subtle or inconsistent and often overlap with other diseases, so your doctor should also monitor you for signs of lupus nephritis with routine urine and blood tests.

Watch real people share their stories

See how Malisha, Suriya, and Jennifer reacted to their lupus nephritis diagnosis and how they discovered the common thread between each of their unique journeys.

Routine urine testing looks for protein in the urine (a common sign of lupus nephritis), which can help your doctor catch lupus nephritis early and start to determine a treatment plan.

Maintaining routine urine testing is crucial to avoiding kidney failure, dialysis, or a transplant.

Stand up to lupus nephritis

The goal of lupus nephritis treatment is to help stop the attack on the kidneys and help protect them from further permanent damage. Until recently, there were no FDA-approved treatments specifically for lupus nephritis.

Commonly used treatments for lupus nephritis:

Immunosuppressants: Used to treat aggressive or more severe lupus nephritis. These are powerful therapies that keep your immune system from damaging your kidneys.

Steroids: Used to quickly reduce and control inflammation of the kidneys. Steroids can help, but relying on high-dose steroids over an extended period of time may increase the risk for adverse events, such as irreversible organ damage.

Blood pressure medications: Used to lower blood pressure and may also slow the progression of kidney disease.

Antimalarials: Often used to treat lupus and has also been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of lupus nephritis.

Building a treatment plan around LUPKYNIS from the very beginning can raise the bar for how lupus nephritis is treated.

Important Safety Information

LUPKYNIS® (voclosporin) can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Increased risk of cancer. People who take LUPKYNIS have an increased risk of getting some kinds of cancer, including skin and lymph gland cancer (lymphoma). Limit and avoid exposure to sunlight and UV light such as tanning machines. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen.
  • Increased risk of infection. LUPKYNIS is a medicine that affects your immune system. LUPKYNIS can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections can happen in people taking LUPKYNIS that can lead to hospitalizations and can cause death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of an infection such as fever, sweats or chills, cough or flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, or warm, red, or painful areas on your skin.

Do not take LUPKYNIS with medicines known as strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, and clarithromycin, or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in LUPKYNIS. You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking LUPKYNIS.

Before you use LUPKYNIS, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • Plan to receive any vaccines. You should not receive any live vaccines during treatment with LUPKYNIS. Other vaccines may not work as well during treatment with LUPKYNIS.
  • Have or have had liver, kidney, or heart problems.
  • Have high blood pressure.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed when taking LUPKYNIS. When taking LUPKYNIS in combination with mycophenolate mofetil, read the Medication Guide for mycophenolate mofetil for important pregnancy information. These medicines can harm your unborn or breastfed baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. LUPKYNIS may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how LUPKYNIS works.

LUPKYNIS may cause serious side effects, including:

Kidney problems. Kidney problems are common side effects of LUPKYNIS and may be serious. Your healthcare provider may do certain tests to check your kidney function while you take LUPKYNIS.

High blood pressure. High blood pressure is a common side effect of LUPKYNIS and may be serious. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood pressure while you take LUPKYNIS and may ask you to check your blood pressure at home.

Nervous system problems. Nervous system problems are a common side effect of LUPKYNIS and may be serious. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of these symptoms while taking LUPKYNIS:

  • confusion
  • changes in alertness
  • muscle tremors
  • numbness and tingling
  • headache
  • seizures
  • vision changes

High levels of potassium in your blood. Your healthcare provider may do certain tests to check your potassium levels while you take LUPKYNIS.

A serious heart rhythm problem (QT prolongation).

Severe low red blood cell count (anemia). Your healthcare provider may check your labs while using LUPKYNIS.

The most common side effects of LUPKYNIS are diarrhea, headache, cough, urinary tract infection, stomach pain, heartburn, and loss of hair (alopecia).

These are not all the possible side effects of LUPKYNIS. For more information, ask your healthcare provider. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What is LUPKYNIS?

LUPKYNIS is a prescription medicine used with other medicines to treat adults with active lupus nephritis. LUPKYNIS should not be taken with a medicine called cyclophosphamide. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you take this medicine.

Please see Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide for LUPKYNIS.