What is it prescribed for?
VANRAFIA™ is prescribed for adults with a kidney disease called primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). This disease can damage the kidneys and lead to faster loss of kidney function. Doctors use VANRAFIA to lower the amount of protein in the urine (proteinuria), which is a sign of kidney damage. It was approved on April 2, 2025
What is the name of the drug and what does it do?
The drug’s name is VANRAFIA™ (atrasentan). It is taken as a small pill once a day. Its main job is to help protect the kidneys by reducing the amount of protein that leaks into the urine. Too much protein in urine is a warning sign that the kidneys are being harmed
How does it work?
VANRAFIA blocks specific receptors (called endothelin-A receptor or ETA receptors) on blood vessel muscle cells, kidney cells, and other body tissues. This stops a chemical called endothelin‑1 from sending signals that make blood vessels tighten, keep extra salt, and cause cells to grow and scar. Atrasentan does not block the other type of receptor (ETB), which helps widen blood vessels and remove endothelin‑1. By blocking it, VANRAFIA helps relax blood vessels and lowers the stress on the kidneys, reducing protein leakage into the urine
What did the research discover?
In a large study of over 400 adults with IgAN, patients who took VANRAFIA had much better results than those who took a placebo (a pill with no medicine).
- After 36 weeks, patients on VANRAFIA had about a 38% drop in protein in their urine, compared to only a 3% drop in the placebo group (see Table and Graph on page 9).
- This shows that VANRAFIA can significantly reduce proteinuria.
- However, it is not yet proven whether VANRAFIA slows the long-term loss of kidney function. More studies are being done to confirm this benefit
What are some of the side effects?
Like all medicines, VANRAFIA can cause side effects. The most common ones are:
- Swelling in the hands, legs, ankles, or feet (edema)
- Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
Other possible side effects include:
- Liver problems (patients need blood tests to check liver health)
- Fluid retention (holding too much water, leading to swelling or weight gain)
- Lower sperm counts in men (which may affect fertility)
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Important warning: VANRAFIA can cause serious birth defects. Women who are pregnant, or could become pregnant, must not take this medicine. Reliable birth control is required before, during, and for two weeks after stopping treatment
What are the dosage recommendations and how is it prescribed?
- Standard dose: 0.75 mg tablet, taken once daily, with or without food.
- How to take: Swallow the pill whole—do not cut, crush, or chew it.
- Missed dose: If you miss a dose, just take the next scheduled one. Do not double up.
- Who should not take it: People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to atrasentan should not take VANRAFIA
Doctors will also:
- Run blood tests before and during treatment to check the liver.
- Watch for swelling, weight gain, or other side effects.
- Stop the medicine right away if a patient becomes pregnant
Source:
VANRAFIA™ (atrasentan) tablets, for oral use [prescribing information]. East Hanover (NJ): Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2025 Apr. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/219208s000lbl.pdf
