Integrating Vadadustat into Pharmaceutical Care for CKD-Related Anemia: Evidence-Based and Pharmacovigilance Perspectives

Anemia management in chronic kidney disease patients is a significant challenge for modern healthcare professionals. Anemia in chronic kidney disease patients has multiple causes which include erythropoietin deficiency, abnormal iron metabolism, resistance to erythropoietin signaling, bone marrow suppression, blood loss, inflammation, nutrition deficiencies and oxidative stress. Vadadustat (a stabilizer of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults on chronic maintenance dialysis. Evidence-based pharmaceutical care services are of great importance for chronic kidney disease patients because they provide safe, effective and economic care for patients. In the present article, we outline the most important pharmaceutical aspects that may affect the efficacy and safety of drug therapy with vadadustat and other HIF stabilizers. We conclude that evidence-based pharmaceutical care is one of the criteria that promotes management of vadadustat therapeutic efficacy and safety. Such an approach will contribute to improving patient adherence to treatment and, consequently, quality of life. Special attention is paid to structure-derived side effects of widely used HIF stabilizers, including their advantages and disadvantages. Based on all available safety and efficacy data for vadadustat, the overall risk-benefit profile remains positive for the approved indications for use.