Lupkynis (voclosporin) is a brand-name oral capsule prescribed to treat lupus nephritis in adults. As with other drugs, Lupkynis can cause side effects, such as headache and diarrhea.

Lupkynis can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Lupkynis in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Lupkynis use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Lupkynis include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Lupkynis and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Lupkynis may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Lupkynis prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Lupkynis, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

Note: Lupkynis has a boxed warning about the risk of serious infections and cancer. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Lupkynis may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Lupkynis compare with those seen with CellCept or Benlysta?

Lupkynis, CellCept, and Benlysta can cause mild to serious effects. Some side effects of these drugs are the same and others vary.

Milder side effects these drugs have in common include diarrhea, headache, and infections. Some side effects unique to each drug include anemia with Lupkynis, constipation with CellCept, and insomnia with Benlysta. Also, CellCept and Benlysta can cause injection site reactions. Since Lupkynis comes only in an oral form, it doesn’t have this side effect.

There’s also a risk of serious infections when taking any of these medications. In fact, Lupkynis and CellCept have a boxed warning about this risk. (A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.) For details about the boxed warnings for Lupkynis, see the “Side effect specifics” section below. Benlysta doesn’t have a boxed warning, but serious infections are still possible.

This answer doesn’t include all side effects that may occur with each drug. To learn more about how the side effects compare, talk with your doctor. You can also refer to the following articles about CellCept and Benlysta side effects.

Does Lupkynis cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible for Lupkynis to cause long-term side effects, but this isn’t common. Long-term side effects can start at any time during treatment. Or they may not go away, even after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Possible long-term side effects of Lupkynis include certain cancers, which could require treatment long term. Lupkynis treatment can also increase the risk of serious infections. Such infections may have effects or symptoms that last even after the infection is gone.

Note that Lupkynis has boxed warnings for the risks of serious infections and cancer. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section just below.

Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about possible long-term effects of treatment with Lupkynis.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Lupkynis may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Lupkynis.

Risk of serious infections

Lupkynis comes with a boxed warning about the risk of serious infections. A boxed warning is the most serious FDA warning. It alerts patients and doctors about potentially dangerous drug effects.

Serious infections weren’t common in clinical trials of Lupkynis. There were reports of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections and shingles. CMV infections are typically mild, but they can become serious in people with a weakened immune system.

Lupkynis works by weakening your immune system. This can make it more difficult for your body to guard against infections. While taking Lupkynis, you may have an increased risk of serious infections. These can be life threatening in rare cases.

Symptoms of an infection can include:

What you can do

If you notice symptoms of an infection while taking Lupkynis, talk with your doctor right away. If you have an infection, your doctor can prescribe a suitable treatment for it.

Before starting Lupkynis, you can ask your doctor whether you need any vaccines, such as the shingles vaccine.

You can also take steps to help lower your risk of getting an infection, such as:

  • washing your hands frequently using soap and water
  • avoiding touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • trying to avoid being around people who have a cold or other infection

Risk of cancer

Lupkynis also has a boxed warning about the risk of cancer. Drugs that weaken the immune system, such as Lupkynis, can increase the risk of some cancers, including skin cancer and lymphoma. This side effect was very rare in clinical trials of Lupkynis.

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer but may include:

The risk increases with higher doses of the drug or long treatment times.

What you can do

Contact your doctor if you notice symptoms of cancer during treatment with Lupkynis. Your doctor can examine your symptoms and determine the cause.

To lower your risk of skin cancer, try to avoid or limit your exposure to the sun. If possible, wear long-sleeve clothing and always use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. You should also avoid artificial UV light, such as tanning beds and sun lamps.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Lupkynis can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Lupkynis. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Below is important information you should consider before starting treatment with Lupkynis.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of serious infections and cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Lupkynis. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Liver problems: If you have mild or moderate liver disease, your doctor will likely prescribe a lower dose of Lupkynis. If your condition is considered severe, such as cirrhosis, your doctor typically will not prescribe Lupkynis. They may be able to recommend a different treatment option for your condition.

Kidney problems: If you have a kidney problem, tell your doctor before you start taking Lupkynis. You may have an increased risk of kidney damage, a possible side effect of the drug. If you have severe kidney disease, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose or recommend a different treatment option for you. (Note that Lupkynis is prescribed to treat kidney inflammation caused by lupus.)

High blood pressure: Lupkynis can cause an increase in blood pressure as a side effect. If you already have high blood pressure, taking Lupkynis could worsen it. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure. They’ll monitor your blood pressure during treatment with Lupkynis. If your blood pressure gets too high, your doctor may change your blood pressure medications.

Heart problems: If you have a heart problem, such as heart failure, tell your doctor before starting Lupkynis. You may have a higher risk of heart rhythm problems as a side effect of the drug. Your doctor can help determine whether Lupkynis is a safe treatment option for you. Some other medications can also raise your risk of heart rhythm problems. For this reason, be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications that you take before starting Lupkynis.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lupkynis or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lupkynis. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Lupkynis is not considered safe to take if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Be sure to tell your doctor that you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. They can let you know about other treatment options for your condition.

Alcohol consumption: There’s no known interaction between Lupkynis and alcohol. However, Lupkynis is typically taken with other drugs that may interact with alcohol. Talk with your doctor about whether consuming alcohol while taking Lupkynis is safe.

Like most medications, Lupkynis can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild, but some side effects may be serious and require treatment. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that are bothersome or serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Lupkynis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Lupkynis: For details about other aspects of Lupkynis, refer to this article.
  • Cost: If you’d like to learn about Lupkynis and cost, see this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Lupkynis, view this article.
  • A look at lupus nephritis: For details about your condition, see this article about lupus nephritis and our list of lupus articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.