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Tavneos

avacopan
Used for ANCA Associated Vasculitis
Used for ANCA Associated Vasculitis

Tavneos (avacopan) is a complement inhibitor used to treat certain rare autoimmune conditions that cause blood vessel inflammation. It's FDA approved for adults with severe antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Tavneos (avacopan) is taken by mouth as a capsule, usually twice a day with food, and is used along with other treatments like corticosteroids. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and high blood pressure.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Daisy Chau, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 20, 2025
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostAlternativesPricesMedicare
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What is Tavneos (avacopan)?

What is Tavneos (avacopan) used for?

How Tavneos (avacopan) works

Tavneos (avacopan) is a complement inhibitor. It blocks a protein which keeps certain immune cells, called neutrophils, from getting activated and moving to areas where they might cause damage. Though it's not exactly known how Tavneos (avacopan) treats ANCA-associated vasculitis, it's thought to reduce inflammation in your blood vessels.

When does Tavneos (avacopan) start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsTavneos
Drug ClassComplement 5a receptor antagonist
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Tavneos (avacopan)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea (24%)
  • Headache (21%)
  • High blood pressure (18%)
  • Diarrhea (15%)
  • Vomiting (15%)
  • Rash (11%)
  • Fatigue (10%)

Other Side Effects

  • Upper stomach pain
  • Dizziness
  • "Pins and needles" feeling

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain on the upper right side of the stomach, feeling tired, dark or brown urine, easy bruising or bleeding, loss of appetite
  • Serious allergic reaction: shortness of breath, swelling of face or tongue, trouble swallowing, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, stomach pain, vomiting
  • Serious infection: fever, cough, tiredness, body aches, chills, headache, painful urination, cold sores, cuts or scrapes that are swollen

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
  • Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
  • Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Tavneos (avacopan)

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Pros

Available as an oral capsule

Potential to help reduce steroid use

More people stayed in remission at 1 year compared to standard treatment alone

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Cons

Commonly causes nausea, headache, and diarrhea

Must be used along with standard treatment, not by itself

Need to take 3 capsules twice per day

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Tavneos (avacopan)

pharmacist

  • Take Tavneos (avacopan) twice a day with food. Eating helps your body absorb more of the medication, which can help it work better.

    • Don't open, crush, or chew the Tavneos (avacopan) capsules. If you have trouble swallowing them whole, talk to your prescriber.

      • If you miss a dose of Tavneos (avacopan), just wait and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take two doses at once to catch up.

        • Make sure to get regular lab tests, including ones that check your liver health, while you're taking Tavneos (avacopan). These tests help your care team make sure the medication continues to be safe.

          • Call your care team right away if you notice signs of liver problems while taking Tavneos (avacopan). This includes yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, or unusual bruising or bleeding.

            • Tavneos (avacopan) can raise your risk of serious infections. Let your prescriber know right away if you have symptoms like fever, cough, tiredness, body aches, headache, or chills.

              • Stop taking Tavneos (avacopan) and get medical help right away if you notice swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or if you have trouble swallowing or breathing. These could be signs of a serious reaction called angioedema.

                • Tavneos (avacopan) can interact with a lot of commonly used medications, even over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements. Share a full list of your medications with your care team so they can check for any problems.

                  • If you're breastfeeding, talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of taking Tavneos (avacopan). It's not known if the medication passes into breast milk or if it could affect your breastfed baby.

                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Tavneos (avacopan)

                    Is Tavneos (avacopan) FDA approved?
                    Yes. The FDA approved Tavneos (avacopan) in October 2021 as an add-on to standard treatment for adults with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis.
                    Is Tavneos (avacopan) an immunosuppressant?
                    Though not a traditional immunosuppressant, Tavneos (avacopan) has immunosuppressive effects. It treats ANCA-associated vasculitis by lowering the activity of specific cells in your immune system.
                    How quickly does Tavneos (avacopan) work?
                    In clinical studies, some people with ANCA-associated vasculitis started to see an improvement within the first 4 weeks when taking it with standard treatment. But it can take several months to see the full benefits. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about how well this medication might work for you.
                    Does Tavneos (avacopan) make you tired?
                    Yes, fatigue (or tiredness) is a common side effect of Tavneos (avacopan). In clinical trials, about 10% of people reported feeling more tired than usual while taking it. If you notice this side effect, talk to your prescriber to see what might be causing it and how to manage it.
                    Is Tavneos (avacopan) safe in pregnancy?
                    Tavneos (avacopan) isn't well studied in pregnant people, so it's unclear if it's completely safe during pregnancy. Animal studies showed mixed results when the medication was used during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your OB-GYN provider about the possible risks and benefits of taking this medication.
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                    What are the risks and warnings for Tavneos (avacopan)?

                    Tavneos (avacopan) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                    risk-warning

                    Worsening liver problems and liver failure

                    • Risk factors: History of liver problems

                      Tavneos (avacopan) can cause serious liver problems. You'll need regular blood tests to check your liver health before and during treatment to make sure your liver is working as it should. Get medical help right away if you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, pain in the upper right side of your stomach, unusual tiredness, dark or brown urine, easy bruising or bleeding, or loss of appetite. Your prescriber might stop the medication to help prevent more liver damage.

                      risk-warning

                      Severe allergic reactions

                      Tavneos (avacopan) can cause a serious allergic reaction called angioedema, which can involve swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. This can make it hard to breathe or swallow and needs emergency medical care. If you notice these symptoms, stop taking the medication and get help right away.

                      risk-warning

                      Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation

                      • Risk factors: History of hepatitis B

                        Tavneos (avacopan) can cause hepatitis B virus (HBV) to reactivate, which means the virus becomes active again in someone who had it in the past, even if it seems gone. This can lead to serious or life-threatening liver problems. Your prescriber will screen you for signs of current or past HBV infection before you start treatment.

                        If you do have HBV, you’ll be closely monitored during treatment and for 6 months after stopping Tavneos (avacopan). Tell your prescriber right away if you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, tiredness, or pain in the upper right side of your stomach. If HBV reactivation happens, you’ll need to stop Tavneos (avacopan) and begin treatment to protect your liver.

                        risk-warning

                        Serious infections

                        • Risk factors: Active, chronic, or recurrent infection | Having other conditions that raise your risk of infection | Living in or traveling to places with high rates of TB or fungal infections | Taking medications that weaken your immune system

                          Some people taking Tavneos (avacopan) experienced severe, life-threatening infections. The most common serious infections in clinical studies were pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you get a fever or other signs of infection — like cough, tiredness, body aches, chills, headache, painful urination, or cold sores — contact your prescriber. Depending on how serious the infection is, you might need to stop taking the medication until the infection is under control.

                          dosage

                          Tavneos (avacopan) dosage forms

                          Typical dosing for Tavneos (avacopan)

                          The typical dose is 30 mg (three 10 mg capsules) by mouth twice a day with food.

                          Your dose might be lower if you take medications that interact with Tavneos (avacopan).

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                          How much does Tavneos (avacopan) cost?

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                          Tavneos (brand)
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                          alternatives

                          What are alternatives to Tavneos (avacopan)?

                          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Tavneos (avacopan). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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