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).