All medications

Conventional DMARDs & immunosuppressants

Voclosporin

Brand names: Lupkynis

A newer calcineurin inhibitor approved for active lupus nephritis.

Video lesson

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Voclosporin
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Animated explainer

Week 06–12 weeks
Step 1 of 4
How it works · Disease-modifying medicine
Overactive immune cells

In conditions like RA and lupus, immune cells are overactive and keep sending inflammatory signals.

What it’s used for

Active lupus nephritis, together with mycophenolate and low-dose steroids.

How it works

It blocks calcineurin in T cells and also helps stabilize the kidney’s filtering cells, reducing protein leak.

How it’s taken

Capsules twice a day on an empty stomach.

Side effects

High blood pressure, reduced kidney function, diarrhea, headache, tremor and higher infection risk.

Monitoring

Kidney function every 2 weeks at first, then monthly, plus blood pressure.

Good to know

Avoid grapefruit and strong drug interactions. Not recommended in pregnancy.

← Tacrolimus

IVIG →

At a glance

Class

Conventional DMARDs & immunosuppressants

Brand names

Lupkynis

Reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD, FACR

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