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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

TARPEYO is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to budesonide or any of the ingredients of TARPEYO. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred with other budesonide formulations.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hypercorticism and adrenal axis suppression:

When corticosteroids are used chronically, systemic effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur. Corticosteroids can reduce the response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to stress. In situations where patients are subject to surgery or other stress situations, supplementation with a systemic corticosteroid is recommended. When discontinuing therapy or switching between corticosteroids, monitor for signs of adrenal axis suppression.

Patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B and C, respectively) could be at an increased risk of hypercorticism and adrenal axis suppression due to an increased systemic exposure to oral budesonide. Avoid use in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C). Monitor for increased signs and/or symptoms of hypercorticism in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B).

Immunosuppression and increased risk of infection:

Corticosteroids, including TARPEYO, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. Corticosteroids can: reduce resistance to new infections, exacerbate existing infections, increase the risk of disseminated infections, increase the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections, and mask some signs of infection. Corticosteroid-associated infections can sometimes be serious. Monitor for infection and consider TARPEYO withdrawal as needed.

Avoid corticosteroid therapy, including TARPEYO, in patients with active or quiescent tuberculosis or hepatitis B infection; untreated fungal, bacterial, systemic viral, or parasitic infections; ocular herpes simplex; or Kaposi’s sarcoma. Avoid exposure to active, easily transmitted infections (e.g., chickenpox, measles). Corticosteroid therapy may decrease the immune response to some vaccines.

Other corticosteroid effects:

TARPEYO is a systemically available corticosteroid and is expected to cause related adverse reactions. Monitor patients with hypertension, prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, glaucoma or cataracts, or with a family history of diabetes or glaucoma, or with any other condition where corticosteroids may have unwanted effects.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

In clinical studies, the most common adverse reactions with TARPEYO (occurring in ≥5% of TARPEYO-treated patients, and ≥2% higher than placebo) were peripheral edema (17%), hypertension (12%), muscle spasms (12%), acne (11%), headache (10%), upper respiratory tract infection (8%), face edema (8%), weight increased (7%), dyspepsia (7%), dermatitis (6%), arthralgia (6%), and white blood cell count increased (6%).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Budesonide is a substrate for CYP3A4. Avoid use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, erythromycin, and cyclosporine. Avoid ingestion of grapefruit juice with TARPEYO. Intake of grapefruit juice, which inhibits CYP3A4 activity, can increase the systemic exposure to budesonide.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy:

The available data from published case series, epidemiological studies, and reviews with oral budesonide use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with IgAN. Infants exposed to in utero corticosteroids, including budesonide, are at risk for hypoadrenalism.

INDICATION

TARPEYO is indicated to reduce the loss of kidney function in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) who are at risk for disease progression.

study design

NefIgArd: the first Phase 3 IgAN trial to assess
off-treatment effect with a 15-month observational period1,2

Primary endpoint at full study completion: time-weighted average of eGFR over 2 years (N=364)1*

This diagram outlines the study design. The study includes a screening phase, 9 months on TARPEYO treatment, and a 15-month observational follow-up off TARPEYO treatment. During screening, patients receive optimized RASi therapy for at least 3 months. Patients are then randomized into two groups: TARPEYO + RASi (purple arrow) or RASi + placebo (grey arrow) for 9 months. Following treatment, there is a 15-month follow-up where patients receive no TARPEYO treatment but continue optimized RASi therapy. This diagram outlines the study design. The study includes a screening phase, 9 months on TARPEYO treatment, and a 15-month observational follow-up off TARPEYO treatment. During screening, patients receive optimized RASi therapy for at least 3 months. Patients are then randomized into two groups: TARPEYO + RASi (purple arrow) or RASi + placebo (grey arrow) for 9 months. Following treatment, there is a 15-month follow-up where patients receive no TARPEYO treatment but continue optimized RASi therapy.

Key inclusion criteria2

Adult patients with:

  • Biopsy-confirmed IgAN diagnosis
  • Persistent proteinuria ≥1 g/day or UPCR ≥0.8 g/g in 2 consecutive measurements
  • eGFR 35 to 90 mL/min/1.73 m2
  • Receiving RASi therapy (ACEis and/or ARBs) at the maximum allowed/tolerated dose 3 months prior to randomization

Blood pressure and diabetes were well controlled and no prophylaxis with antibiotics was required.1,2

Select baseline characteristics2

TARPEYO
+ RASi
RASi
alone
Median age (range)
43 (36 to 50) 42 (34 to 49)
Median baseline UPCR (interquartile range)
1.28
(0.90 to 1.76)
1.25
(0.88 to 1.74)
Median baseline eGFR (interquartile range)
56.14 mL/min/
1.73 m2
(45.50 to 70.97)
55.11 mL/min/
1.73 m2
(45.96 to 67.74)
<60 mL/min per 1.73 m2
109 (60%)
109 (60%)
≥60 mL/min per 1.73 m2
73 (40%)
73 (40%)
Median time from IgAN diagnosis (interquartile range)
2.4 years
(0.6 to 6.9)
2.6 years
(0.6 to 6.5)
  • Blood pressure was well controlled at study entry (recommended target of <125/75 mmHg)1,2
  • Majority of patients had not been on prior steroid therapy2
  • On average, patients were in Stage 3 CKD at baseline2,3
egfr

The only FDA-approved treatment shown to stabilize eGFR while on therapy in a Phase 3 IgAN trial1,4,5

LS mean change in eGFR from baseline to 2 years1*

Graph showing eGFR change over 2 years. Patients on TARPEYO + RASi (blue) had improved eGFR compared to those on RASi alone (grey). A >50% difference in kidney function deterioration at 2 years is noted, favoring TARPEYO + RASi. Graph showing eGFR change over 2 years. Patients on TARPEYO + RASi (blue) had improved eGFR compared to those on RASi alone (grey). A >50% difference in kidney function deterioration at 2 years is noted, favoring TARPEYO + RASi.
Image
50%

kidney function preservation at 2 years with TARPEYO + RASi relative to RASi alone1,4§

The favorable effect of TARPEYO on eGFR was seen as early as month 3 and remained consistent over 2 years.1

The effect of TARPEYO on the long-term rate of decline in kidney function has not been established.1

*Estimated from a mixed-model, repeated-measures analysis using untransformed data up to 24 months, regardless of use of rescue medications.1
Not all patients in the full analysis set (FAS) contributed data at each time point.1
The primary endpoint for the interim analysis was UPCR at 9 months compared to baseline (N=199).1
§Calculated as relative reduction (9.4% TARPEYO + RASi vs 20.3% RASi alone).1,4

upcr

Significant UPCR reduction at 9 months, with 52% reduction achieved at 12 months1

UPCR continued to decrease off treatment from month 9 to month 12 and was durable through 2 years

LS mean percent (%) change in UPCR (g/g) from baseline*

upcr chart upcr chart
  • The mean reduction in UPCR from baseline was 35% at the end of treatment (month 9), with continued reductions off treatment, and a 34% reduction at month 24 (15 months off treatment), demonstrating durability of treatment effect

*Estimated mean percentage change from baseline in UPCR with 95% CI estimated from a mixed-model, repeated-measures analysis of log-transformed post-baseline to baseline ratios, regardless of use of prohibited medications.
Interim analysis at 9 months with the first 199 patients showed a 31% reduction in UPCR in patients treated with TARPEYO + RASi vs RASi alone (95% CI: 16% to 42% reduction; p=0.0001).
Not all patients in the FAS contributed data at each time point.

CI=confidence interval; CKD=chronic kidney disease; eGFR=estimated glomerular filtration rate; FAS=full analysis set; Gd-IgA1=galactose-deficient IgA1; KDIGO=Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes; LS=least squares; RASi=renin-angiotensin system inhibitor; UPCR=urine protein-to-creatinine ratio.

REFERENCES: 1. TARPEYO. Prescribing Information. Calliditas Therapeutics AB; June 2024. 2. Lafayette R, Kristensen J, Stone A, et al. Efficacy and safety of a targeted release formulation of budesonide in patients with primary IgA nephropathy (NefIgArd): 2-year results from a randomised phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01554-4 3. National Kidney Foundation. Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Accessed October 30, 2025. https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/stages-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd 4. Data on file. Calliditas Therapeutics AB. 5. Barratt J, Lafayette RA, Rovin BH, Fellström B. Budesonide delayed release capsules to reduce proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2023;19(7):699-710. doi:10.1080/1744666X.2023.2206119

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

TARPEYO is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to budesonide or any of the ingredients of TARPEYO. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred with other budesonide formulations.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hypercorticism and adrenal axis suppression:

When corticosteroids are used chronically, systemic effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur. Corticosteroids can reduce the response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to stress. In situations where patients are subject to surgery or other stress situations, supplementation with a systemic corticosteroid is recommended. When discontinuing therapy or switching between corticosteroids, monitor for signs of adrenal axis suppression.

Patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B and C, respectively) could be at an increased risk of hypercorticism and adrenal axis suppression due to an increased systemic exposure to oral budesonide. Avoid use in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C). Monitor for increased signs and/or symptoms of hypercorticism in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B).

Immunosuppression and increased risk of infection:

Corticosteroids, including TARPEYO, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. Corticosteroids can: reduce resistance to new infections, exacerbate existing infections, increase the risk of disseminated infections, increase the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections, and mask some signs of infection. Corticosteroid-associated infections can sometimes be serious. Monitor for infection and consider TARPEYO withdrawal as needed.

Avoid corticosteroid therapy, including TARPEYO, in patients with active or quiescent tuberculosis or hepatitis B infection; untreated fungal, bacterial, systemic viral, or parasitic infections; ocular herpes simplex; or Kaposi’s sarcoma. Avoid exposure to active, easily transmitted infections (e.g., chickenpox, measles). Corticosteroid therapy may decrease the immune response to some vaccines.

Other corticosteroid effects:

TARPEYO is a systemically available corticosteroid and is expected to cause related adverse reactions. Monitor patients with hypertension, prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, glaucoma or cataracts, or with a family history of diabetes or glaucoma, or with any other condition where corticosteroids may have unwanted effects.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

In clinical studies, the most common adverse reactions with TARPEYO (occurring in ≥5% of TARPEYO-treated patients, and ≥2% higher than placebo) were peripheral edema (17%), hypertension (12%), muscle spasms (12%), acne (11%), headache (10%), upper respiratory tract infection (8%), face edema (8%), weight increased (7%), dyspepsia (7%), dermatitis (6%), arthralgia (6%), and white blood cell count increased (6%).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Budesonide is a substrate for CYP3A4. Avoid use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, erythromycin, and cyclosporine. Avoid ingestion of grapefruit juice with TARPEYO. Intake of grapefruit juice, which inhibits CYP3A4 activity, can increase the systemic exposure to budesonide.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy:

The available data from published case series, epidemiological studies, and reviews with oral budesonide use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with IgAN. Infants exposed to in utero corticosteroids, including budesonide, are at risk for hypoadrenalism.

INDICATION

TARPEYO is indicated to reduce the loss of kidney function in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) who are at risk for disease progression.