Desidustat
About Desidustat
Desidustat is a prescription medicine used to treat anaemia in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Anaemia occurs when your body does not produce enough red blood cells, which can leave you feeling constantly tired, weak, and cold. This medicine helps support your body’s natural processes to generate more red blood cells and improve your energy levels.
To achieve the best results, you must take Desidustat regularly and consistently exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You can take this medicine with or without food, but keeping a consistent routine helps maintain steady levels in your body. Along with taking your medicine, adopting certain lifestyle habits, such as eating a balanced diet and keeping your scheduled medical appointments, plays a vital role in your treatment plan.
While taking Desidustat, some people may experience mild side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. However, you must contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience serious symptoms, such as sudden, severe headaches, vision changes, or signs of blood clots.
Do not take this if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or have had a severe allergic reaction to this medication in the past. Before starting treatment, it is highly important to tell your doctor if you have a history of liver problems, seizures, or heart disease so they can ensure this medicine is safe for you.
This medicine can interact with certain other treatments, such as phosphate binders, which can prevent your body from absorbing it properly. You should also consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are an older adult, as specific precautions or alternative treatments may be recommended.
Uses of Desidustat
Medicinal Benefits
Desidustat helps treat anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease by increasing the production of healthy red blood cells. With regular use as prescribed, it helps improve oxygen delivery throughout the body, reduce symptoms of anaemia, and support a better quality of life.
- Treats Renal Anaemia: By increasing red blood cell production, this medicine helps improve oxygen supply to the body's tissues, relieving fatigue, weakness, and reduced physical stamina associated with kidney disease.
- Improves Energy and Daily Functioning: As haemoglobin levels improve, this medicine helps restore energy, enhance physical endurance, and make everyday activities easier to perform.
- Convenient Oral Treatment: Available as an oral tablet, this medicine offers a convenient alternative to injectable treatments, allowing you to manage renal anaemia at home without the need for frequent injections.
Directions for Use
- Desidustat can be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication, to ensure the safety.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Desidustat
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea or mild stomach discomfort
- Mild headache
- Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of blood clots, such as sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or pain, warmth, and swelling in one of your legs
- Signs of severely high blood pressure, including a sudden severe headache, dizziness, or blurry vision
- Seizures or convulsions
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or upper-right stomach pain
- Severe allergic reactions, including a skin rash, itching, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check your blood pressure before starting this medicine and regularly during treatment; notify your doctor immediately if your readings spike.
- Never skip your scheduled blood tests, as they are crucial for monitoring your liver health and blood counts.
- Be alert for signs of blood clots, such as sudden leg pain, warmth, redness, or unexplained shortness of breath.
- Inform any surgeon, anesthesiologist, or dentist that you are taking Desidustat before you undergo any medical procedures.
- Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms or kidney condition.
Drug Interactions
- Phosphate binders (such as sevelamer or calcium acetate): Taking these medications at the same time can reduce how well your body absorbs Desidustat. Take Desidustat at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking your phosphate binders.
- Iron supplements: Certain oral iron therapies can interfere with the absorption of this medicine if swallowed at the exact same time.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol with Desidustat as it may cause serious side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionThere is no information available about the use of Desidustat during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionDesidustat is not recommended during breastfeeding as it is unknown if desidustat passes into breastmilk.
Driving
safeDesidustat does not alter your ability to drive or use machinery.
Liver
consult your doctorThere is no information available about the use of Desidustat in patients with liver impairment. Consult your doctor if you have liver problems.
Kidney
safe if prescribedDesidustat is prescribed for the treatment of anaemia induced by chronic kidney disease. Your doctor will decide the dose of this medicine based on your disease condition.
Children
cautionThe safety and efficacy of Desidustat in children was not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Check your blood pressure regularly: Because this medicine can raise your blood pressure, monitor it at home as recommended by your doctor and keep a written log of your readings.
- Consume iron-rich foods: To help your body build new red blood cells, include iron-rich foods like leafy greens, beans, and lean meats in your diet, if permitted by your kidney specialist.
- Stick to your kidney diet plan: Continue following any specific dietary guidelines (such as limiting sodium, potassium, or phosphorus) provided by your healthcare team.
- Attend all scheduled blood tests: You will need frequent blood tests to monitor your haemoglobin levels. These tests are essential for your doctor to manage your treatment safely and effectively.
Special Advise
- You'll also be advised to have regular check-ups to monitor your condition.
- People with CKD may need to closely monitor sodium and phosphorus in foods, especially if their kidney disease is advanced.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaemia: Anaemia is caused by a lack of iron in the body. Iron is an essential mineral for overall health and healthy blood cells. Iron aids in the production of haemoglobin, which is present in red blood cells. When there is a lack of iron, red blood cells do not produce enough haemoglobin to transport oxygen. Anaemia is a typical consequence of chronic renal disease (CKD). CKD indicates that your kidneys are damaged and are unable to filter blood as effectively as they should. CKD can also lead to other health issues.
FAQs
Desidustat is used to treat anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Desidustat contains Desidustat, which works by stimulating the body's natural production of erythropoietin; this, in turn, promotes the production of red blood cells.
People who do not acquire enough iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid to create healthy red blood cells are more likely to develop anaemia. Excessive alcohol use increases your risk of anaemia.
Eating foods like red meat, beans, and peas can be beneficial if one has vitamin deficiency anaemia. In addition, items like dry fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, and seafood can supply the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Yes, Desidustat may cause Peripheral oedema (swelling of your lower legs or hands). If symptoms persist or bother you, reach out to the doctor immediately.
The side effects of Desidustat include vomiting, fever, abnormal physical weakness and peripheral oedema (swelling of your lower legs or hands). If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is an irreversible and progressive loss of kidney function. As a result, the body retains excess waste or toxins which may lead to other health problems. The symptoms include swelling of legs, shortness of breath, swelling around the eyes, weight loss, fatigue (overtiredness), decreased urine output, nausea or vomiting, especially in the morning or after eating, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping.
Your doctor may recommend a blood test to determine whether you have kidney disease. The test measures the amount of creatinine (waste product) in your blood. The doctor will use the blood test results, your gender, age, weight, and ethnic group to calculate how many millilitres of waste your kidneys should be able to filter in a minute. This calculation is known as your eGFR or estimated glomerular filtration rate. Healthy kidneys should be able to filter more than 90 mL/min. If your rate is lower than this, you may have kidney disease.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure, you are more likely to develop kidney disease. If you have risk factors, it is advisable to get examined for kidney disease and protect your kidneys by changing your diet, lifestyle and controlling your blood glucose levels and blood pressure.
Your kidneys make erythropoietin (EPO), an important hormone that instructs your body to produce red blood cells. Kidneys fail to make enough EPO in case of kidney disease. Low EPO levels decreases red blood cell count resulting in anemia.
The risk for anemia increases when kidney disease worsens. People with CKD who also have diabetes are at a greater risk for developing anemia, likely to develop anemia earlier, and often have more severe anemia than those without diabetes. In addition, anemia with CKD is more common in people aged over 60 years.
Some of the symptoms of anemia in patients with CKD include dizziness, pale skin, fatigue (overtiredness), headache, shortness of breath, body pain, and irregular or fast heartbeats.
In patients with CKD, severe anemia can increase the risk of heart problems and strokes due to low oxygen levels in the body, which results from the decreasing level of red blood cells in the body.
Yes, you can take Desidustat with or without food. However, try to take it the same way each time to ensure consistent absorption. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need further dietary advice.
Many patients with kidney-related anaemia still need iron to help their body make new red blood cells. Your doctor will test your iron levels and prescribe an iron supplement if your body needs it.
Yes, high blood pressure is a recognised side effect of medicines that increase red blood cells. You should monitor your blood pressure regularly and report any high readings to your healthcare team.
No, Desidustat is an oral tablet. It is not an injection. It works by stimulating your body to naturally produce its own red blood cell-stimulating hormone.
A severe headache can be a sign of a sudden spike in blood pressure. Check your blood pressure immediately if you can, and contact your doctor or seek emergency medical care right away.
This medicine is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it may pose risks to the developing baby. Talk to your doctor about safer alternative treatments if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Your doctor will likely schedule blood tests every few weeks when you first start taking Desidustat, and then periodically once your levels are stable. These tests are essential for adjusting your dose safely. Talk to your doctor for a personalised schedule.
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