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Tarpeyo (budesonide) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the loss of kidney function in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) who are at risk for their disease getting worse.
Tarpeyo is a corticosteroid medicine. It works on immune cells in the lower small intestine, including areas called Peyer’s patches. These immune cells are involved in primary IgAN.
Tarpeyo may help reduce inflammation and immune system activity linked to kidney damage. The exact way Tarpeyo works is not fully known.
Doctors prescribe Tarpeyo for adults with primary IgAN who are at risk for the disease getting worse.
Tarpeyo comes as a delayed-release capsule that is taken by mouth once each morning, at least one hour before a meal. Do not open, crush, or chew the capsules.
The recommended dose of Tarpeyo for primary IgAN is 16 milligrams by mouth once daily for nine months.
When stopping treatment, the dose should be lowered to 8 milligrams once daily for the last two weeks of therapy.
This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of adults taking Tarpeyo for primary IgAN who were at risk for disease progression, the most common side effects occurred in about 6 percent to 17 percent of people. These include:
Tarpeyo can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Calliditas Therapeutics, the manufacturer of Tarpeyo, offers the Tarpeyo Touchpoints Copay Assistance Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per prescription.
The Tarpeyo Touchpoints Copay Assistance Program also offers support from Care Navigators, including help connecting you with pharmacists, helpful resources, shipment tracking, and help understanding financial support options.
To learn more, visit the Tarpeyo savings and support page or call 833-444-8277.
Before starting Tarpeyo, your doctor will check you for hepatitis B infection.
Tarpeyo can lower your body’s response to some vaccines. Talk with your doctor about your vaccination schedule before and during treatment.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to budesonide or any ingredients in Tarpeyo. Do not take Tarpeyo if you have had a serious allergic reaction to budesonide or any of its ingredients.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Tell your doctor if you:
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice during treatment with Tarpeyo because they can increase the amount of medicine in your blood.
If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Tarpeyo, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Tarpeyo?
In a clinical study of adults with primary IgAN, Tarpeyo lowered urine protein levels by 31 percent compared with placebo (an inactive treatment) after nine months.
At two years, people who took Tarpeyo had less loss of kidney function than people who took placebo, with a 5.9 milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters difference in mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change from the start of the study.
The kidney function benefit seen during treatment continued after treatment ended. However, Tarpeyo did not appear to change the rate of kidney function decline over the course of two years.
How long does Tarpeyo take to work for chronic kidney disease?
In the main clinical study, people took Tarpeyo for nine months. During treatment, Tarpeyo lowered urine protein levels compared with placebo and helped slow the loss of kidney function in adults with primary IgAN.
The study showed a favorable effect on kidney function was seen by month 3, which was the earliest time individuals were checked in the study. The kidney function benefit continued after treatment was completed.
The study does not say exactly when an individual person may notice improvement.
What tests or monitoring are needed with Tarpeyo?
People stopping Tarpeyo or switching from another corticosteroid should be monitored for signs of adrenal suppression.
People with moderate liver problems should be monitored for signs and symptoms of too much steroid effect in the body, called hypercorticism.
Doctors should also monitor people who have conditions that corticosteroids can worsen, including:
Before starting Tarpeyo, screening for hepatitis B infection is recommended. Doctors should also watch for signs of infection during treatment because Tarpeyo can weaken the immune system.
On MyKidneyDiseaseTeam, people share their experiences with chronic kidney disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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