Dosage Details for Jesduvroq

The table below highlights the basics of Jesduvroq’s typical dosages. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg). Hemoglobin levels are listed in grams per deciliter (g/dL).

Keep reading for more details about Jesduvroq’s dosage.

* Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) are drugs that treat anemia by increasing your red blood cell count. If you’re switching from an ESA, your Jesduvroq dosage is based on your ESA dose.

What is Jesduvroq’s form?

Jesduvroq comes as an oral tablet.

What strengths does Jesduvroq come in?

Jesduvroq is available in five strengths:

• 1 mg
• 2 mg
• 4 mg
• 6 mg
• 8 mg

What are the usual dosages of Jesduvroq?

Your doctor will likely adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for anemia caused by chronic kidney disease

The typical Jesduvroq dosage for adults who’ve been receiving dialysis for at least 4 months to treat anemia from chronic kidney disease depends on your hemoglobin level. It also depends on whether you’re taking an ESA medication to increase your red blood cell count.

If you aren’t switching to Jesduvroq from an ESA, your doctor will use your hemoglobin level to prescribe a starting dosage as follows:

• If your hemoglobin level is less than 9 g/dL, you’ll take 4 mg of Jesduvroq once per day.
• If your hemoglobin level is 9–10 g/dL, you’ll take 2 mg of Jesduvroq once per day.
• If your hemoglobin level is greater than 10 g/dL, you’ll take 1 mg of Jesduvroq once per day.

If you are switching from an ESA, your dosage of Jesduvroq will be based on your ESA dosage. Jesduvroq will likely replace your ESA so that you won’t be taking both drugs at once. Examples of ESAs include epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit), darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), and methoxy PEG-epoetin beta (Mircera).

Depending on your ESA dosage, your doctor may prescribe a Jesduvroq dosage of:

• 4 mg once per day
• 6 mg once per day
• 8 mg once per day
• 12 mg once per day

The maximum dosage of Jesduvroq is 24 mg, taken once per day, regardless of whether you’re switching from an ESA or not.

Your doctor will monitor your hemoglobin levels throughout your Jesduvroq treatment. Your dosage may be adjusted based on how your hemoglobin levels respond to the drug.

Is Jesduvroq used long term?

Yes, Jesduvroq is usually taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term. But if Jesduvroq hasn’t been effective at treating your anemia after about 6 months of taking it, your doctor will likely have you switch to another treatment.

Dosage adjustments

If you take certain drugs or have certain conditions, your dosage of Jesduvroq may be adjusted. For example:

• If you have moderate liver problems, your starting dose of Jesduvroq will be reduced. (If you have severe liver problems, your doctor will likely recommend another treatment option.)
• If you take certain medications that slow down the CYP2C8 enzyme,* such as clopidogrel (Plavix), your starting dose will be reduced. (But if you take a drug that drastically slows down the CYP2C8 enzyme, such as gemfibrozil, you should not take Jesduvroq.)

However, if you’re prescribed a starting daily dose of 1 mg, your dose won’t be reduced in either of the situations described above.

Your dosage of Jesduvroq may also be adjusted based on your hemoglobin level. For example:

• If your hemoglobin level is higher than 11 g/dL, your dose will be reduced.
• If your hemoglobin level rises too quickly (such as more than 1 g/dL in 2 weeks), your dose will be reduced.
• If your hemoglobin level is higher than 12 g/dL, your doctor will likely have you stop taking Jesduvroq. Once your hemoglobin level lowers, your doctor may restart your Jesduvroq treatment at a lower dose.

*CYP2C8 is an enzyme in the liver that helps to break down certain drugs, including Jesduvroq.

The dosage of Jesduvroq you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

• the type and severity of the condition you’re taking the drug to treat
• your age
• your hemoglobin level and if you’ve previously taken an ESA
• other conditions you may have or medications you take (see the “Dosage adjustments” section above)

Jesduvroq comes as an oral tablet. (If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take them.) You’ll take one dose of Jesduvroq per day, and it can be taken with or without food.

You don’t have to coordinate when you take your dose around when you receive dialysis. But be sure to take your dose at the same time of day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps it work effectively.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Jesduvroq, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

• have large print
• use braille
• feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Jesduvroq in an easy-open container.

If you miss a dose of Jesduvroq, take it as soon as you remember. But if you realize you missed a dose the following day (the same day that your next dose is due), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so can raise your risk of side effects.

If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Jesduvroq on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Jesduvroq than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include headache and nausea.

What to do in case you take too much Jesduvroq

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Jesduvroq. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Jesduvroq’s dosage.

Is Jesduvroq’s dosage similar to the dosages of Procrit?

No. Jesduvroq and epoetin alfa (Procrit) are both used to treat anemia from chronic kidney disease, but their forms and dosages are different.

Jesduvroq comes as an oral tablet that’s taken once per day. Procrit is usually given three times per week as an injection under your skin or intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into your vein over a period of time).

The dose in milligrams for each drug also differs. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

In addition, before you start taking Jesduvroq, you must have been receiving dialysis for at least 4 months. But you don’t have to be receiving dialysis to receive Procrit.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Jesduvroq to start working?

Jesduvroq starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body.

In studies, hemoglobin levels increased for some people after 28 weeks (about 7 months). But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

If you have other questions about what to expect from your Jesduvroq treatment, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by Jesduvroq’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Jesduvroq without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Jesduvroq exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can I take an iron supplement while taking Jesduvroq?
• How long will I take my current dosage before an increase may be considered?
• If I need to temporarily stop taking Jesduvroq because my hemoglobin level gets too high, how long will it likely take for it to return to a stable range?

To learn more about Jesduvroq, see these articles:

• Jesduvroq (daprodustat)
• Side Effects of Jesduvroq: What You Need to Know
• Jesduvroq Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.