roxadustat

Roxadustat is a medication used to treat anemia in adults with chronic kidney disease. It works by stimulating the body's own production of erythropoietin, a hormone that signals the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. This mechanism differs from traditional erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) which are synthetic forms of erythropoietin. Roxadustat is administered orally, which is a significant difference from injectable ESAs. It is a first-in-class drug belonging to a group called hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PH inhibitors). By inhibiting prolyl hydroxylase enzymes, roxadustat stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factors, which in turn leads to increased erythropoietin production and improved iron metabolism. Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in raising hemoglobin levels in both dialysis-dependent and non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients. However, like all medications, roxadustat carries potential side effects, which can include hypertension, venous thromboembolism, and other cardiovascular events. Its use is carefully monitored by healthcare professionals to manage these risks. The development and approval of roxadustat represent a new therapeutic approach to managing anemia associated with chronic kidney disease.