What would you do if you could slow the progression of Kidney Failure with a simple medication? With various medications being explored, news of the market release of a drug that is found to help some patients prolong kidney function or even avoid Dialysis entirely comes as great news to the Chronic Kidney Disease Community.
Recommended Reading: Breakthrough Medication Reversing Kidney Decline To Help Limit Or Avoid Dialysis And Kidney Transplant
In some of the best news for the Chronic Kidney Disease patients nearing Dialysis, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug that has been shown to slow down the progression of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) to Kidney Failure.
Recommended Reading: Lawsuit After Doctor Wrongly Removed Kidney - Highlights Concern For CKD And Dialysis Patients
A genetic disease, PKD, causes cysts to grow inside the kidneys. These cysts make the kidneys much larger than they should be and damage the tissue that the kidneys are made of, causing Chronic Kidney Disease and ultimately Kidney Failure. The new drug developed by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Jynarque (also known as Tolvaptan), is a pill taken twice a day that slows the growth of cysts and has been shown to preserve kidney function.
Recommended Reading: Tips For CKD-Dialysis Patients To Have Insurers Cover Medications & Reduce Out-Of-Pocket Costs
Although it does not cure PKD, Jynarque does extend the time before a patient needs Dialysis or a Kidney Transplant. This is great news for the entire Chronic Kidney Disease Community and not just those with PKD since the hereditary disease causes about 2 percent (2 out of every 100) of the cases of Kidney Failure in the United States. Hence, due to the fact that less PKD patients will be on Dialysis and in need of a Kidney Transplant, it allows more space and a shorter wait times for those currently waiting for a Kidney Transplant to get off of Dialysis.
Recommended Reading: Benadryl And Other Common Chronic Kidney Disease Medications May Increase Risk Of Alzheimer's
Also, the success of Jynarque shows that a major breakthrough is possible with the right amount of dedication and patient involvement. Thus, if you are following a potential breakthrough device, therapy or medication, do not lose faith with delays and setbacks, remain hopeful that it too can be as successful as the Jynarque Medication and help greatly improve your life as well.
Recommended Reading: Five Tips For Chronic Kidney Disease And Dialysis Patients To Afford Anti-Rejection Medication
What breakthrough are you most excited about? Have you heard of Jynarque before reading this article? Share your thoughts and insights with the over 72,000 Friends who have liked KidneyBuzz.com on Facebook (click here). Also, follow the over 250,000+ monthly viewers who visit KidneyBuzz.com regularly for the latest daily news and information which teach those with Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Diabetes, and Hypertension how to better manage and improve their lives. Erica Ashley Jenkins (Dialysis Nurse) said, "Hello I just wanted to let you know I work in a dialysis clinic and over half of our clinic reads this page, we enjoy everything you put on and love to have new information. My patients are very grateful."