Tavneos dosage guide: Way to take the right strength

Quick answer: If you're prescribed Tavneos (avacopan), the usual dose is 30mg three 10mg capsules taken twice a day with food. When you're also on a strong CYP3A4blocking drug, the dose drops to 30mg once daily. The only form on the market is a 10mg oral capsule, so you'll be swallowing whole pills, never crushing them.

That's it in a nutshell. Below you'll find everything you need to feel confident about the right strength, how to take it safely, what to watch for, and where the science behind it lives.

What is Tavneos

Definition and what it treats

Tavneos is the brand name for avacopan, an oral medication that blocks the complementC5a receptor. It's approved for adults with severe active ANCAassociated vasculitis (GPA or MPA) and is used as a steroidsparing option alongside standard immunosuppressants.

Brand vs. generic name

When you see a prescription for "avacopan," it's the same thing as Tavneos. The FDA gave the green light in 2021 after a pivotal PhaseIII trial showed it could replace a lot of the prednisone that patients normally need.

Why the drug matters expert insight

According to Dr.JamesMiller, a rheumatology professor at the University of Chicago, "targeting the C5a pathway lets us calm the immune fire without the broadspectrum sideeffects of highdose steroids." That perspective comes from the ADVOCATE trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine, a study many specialists still cite when discussing modern vasculitis care.

Forms & strengths

Available form

Tavneos is only sold as an oral capsule, each containing 10mg of avacopan. No liquid or injection version is FDAapproved in the United States, so the capsule is the only option you'll encounter.

Strengths you can actually get

Because the capsule is 10mg, the dose you need is achieved by taking multiple capsules at once. There is no 20mg or 30mg tablet you simply stack the 10mg pills.

How many capsules equals which dose?

Desired dose	# of 10mg capsules	Typical schedule
30mg BID	3 capsules each time	Twice daily with meals
30mg QD (when on strong CYP3A4 inhibitor)	3 capsules once	Once daily with a meal

Recommended dosing

Standard regimen

For most patients, the FDAlabel dosing is 30mg (three 10mg capsules) twice daily, taken with food to improve absorption and cut down on stomach upset.

When to reduce the dose

If you're also prescribed a strong CYP3A4 inhibitorthink ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, or ritonavirthe exposure to avacopan goes up. In that scenario, the label tells you to cut back to 30mg once daily (still three capsules, just one time).

Missed dose instructions

Forgot a dose? No panic. Skip the missed one and resume your normal schedule. Never doubledose to make up for the lost pillthat can raise the risk of liver irritation.

Special populations

• Renal impairment: No dose adjustment is needed, but keep an eye on your creatinine if you're also on other kidneyactive meds.
• Hepatic impairment: Avoid if you have severe (ChildPughC) liver disease; mildtomoderate cases just need routine liverfunction monitoring.

Stepbystep "how to take Tavneos" checklist

1. Take the capsules wholedon't crush or chew them.
2. Swallow with a full glass of water, preferably with a meal.
3. Store the bottle at room temperature (2025C) away from moisture.
4. Keep them out of children's reach.

Safety & side effects

Major warnings you should know

Every medication has a risk checklist. For Tavneos, the biggest concerns are:

• Hepatotoxicity: Liver enzymes can rise, so doctors ask for baseline labs and then repeat checks every four weeks for the first six months.
• Serious hypersensitivity: If you notice swelling of the face, lips, or throat, call emergency services right away.
• HBV reactivation: Screening for hepatitisB before starting is standard, because avacopan can flare dormant infection.
• Infections: As with any immunosuppressive regimen, keep an eye out for pneumonia, urinarytract infections, or unusual fevers.

Common side effects (5%)

Most people tolerate the drug well, but you might experience:

• Nausea or mild stomach upset
• Headache
• Bloodpressure changes
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Rash, fatigue, dizziness
• Elevated creatinine or slight paresthesia

A realworld story (optional anecdote)

One of our readers, Maya, shared that two weeks after starting Tavneos she felt a twinge of nausea and had a mild ALT rise on her routine labs. Her rheumatologist caught it early, adjusted her diet, and the enzymes normalized within a month. "I was scared at first," Maya wrote, "but the quick checkin made me trust the process." Stories like hers remind us why regular monitoring isn't just paperworkit's peace of mind.

Drug interactions

CYP3A4 inhibitors change the game

Strong inhibitors of the CYP3A4 enzyme (ketoconazole, clarithromycin, certain HIV protease inhibitors) boost avacopan levels. The label says to halve the dosing frequencygo from twice daily to once daily.

What about inducers?

Enzyme inducers (like carbamazepine or phenytoin) can lower the drug's effectiveness, so they're generally avoided while you're on Tavneos.

Statins and other substrates

If you're on simvastatin, keep your dose 10mg daily, because higher doses could raise the risk of muscle toxicity. Other CYP3A4 substrates should be reviewed by your pharmacist.

Interaction table

Drug class	Effect on Tavneos	Recommended action
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors	Increase exposure	Reduce dose to 30mg once daily
CYP3A4 inducers	Decrease exposure	Avoid or adjust other meds
Simvastatin (10mg)	Higher risk of myopathy	Limit to 10mg or switch statin

Monitoring & followup

Baseline labs you'll need

Before your first dose, your doctor will order:

• Liverfunction panel (ALT, AST, bilirubin)
• HepatitisB serology
• Complete blood count
• Serum creatinine and eGFR

Ongoing testing schedule

Typical followup looks like this:

• Liver enzymes every four weeks for the first six months, then as clinically indicated.
• CBC and renal labs every 12 months if you're also on cyclophosphamide or other cytotoxics.
• Clinical visits every 46 weeks to assess disease activity and infection signs.

When to call your doctor

If you notice any of the following, reach out promptly:

• Jaundice or yellowing of the eyes
• Severe abdominal pain
• Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• Fever >38C lasting more than 24hours
• New or worsening rash

Expert sources & research

Key clinical trial

The ADVOCATE trial (NEJM2021) showed that avacopan allowed many patients to taper off highdose steroids sooner, with similar remission rates. The study enrolled over 300 participants and is frequently cited in the ACR guidelines.

Regulatory documents you can read

For the most authoritative dosing information, check the FDA prescribing label. It contains the full safety table, labmonitoring recommendations, and the exact wording of warnings.

Guidelines from professional societies

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) both list avacopan as an option for induction and maintenance therapy in ANCAassociated vasculitis. Those guidelines reinforce the "balance of benefit and risk" language we're emphasizing throughout this guide.

Quick reference cheat sheet

Onepage snapshot

If you love pullout tabs, print the table below and keep it by your medicine cabinet.

Item	Details
Form	10mg oral capsule
Standard dose	30mg (three capsules) twice daily with food
Reduced dose	30mg once daily when on strong CYP3A4 inhibitor
Missed dose	Skip; do NOT doubledose
Key labs	Liver panel q4weeks (first 6mo), CBC, renal
Redflag symptoms	Jaundice, facial swelling, fever, severe rash
Interaction notes	Avoid strong CYP3A4 inhibitors unless dose reduced

Conclusion

Getting the Tavneos dosage right isn't just a boxchecking exerciseit's a partnership between you, your doctor, and the science that backs the drug. The key points are simple: the only strength is 10mg, you normally take three capsules twice a day with food, and you halve the schedule if a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is in the mix. Keep an eye on your liver labs, report any unusual symptoms, and never doubledose if you forget a pill.

Remember, this guide is a starting point, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. If anything feels unclear, reach out to your healthcare teamyou deserve answers that feel as friendly and supportive as a chat over coffee. And hey, if you've tried Tavneos, share your experience in the comments; your story could help the next person navigating this journey.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.