Administration of vadadustat for anemia of chronic kidney disease; an updated review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden, often complicated by anemia due to impaired erythropoietin production and iron dysregulation. Vadadustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI), has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for managing anemia in CKD patients. By stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factors, vadadustat enhances endogenous erythropoietin production and improves iron metabolism, offering a novel approach to treating CKD-associated anemia. Recent clinical trials demonstrate that vadadustat effectively increases hemoglobin levels, reduces the need for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), and improves patients’ quality of life. However, concerns regarding its safety, including potential risks of thromboembolic events and hypertension, warrant careful patient selection and monitoring. Comparative analyses with standard therapies, such as ESAs and other HIF-PH inhibitors, highlight vadadustat’s advantages in terms of oral administration and cost-effectiveness, while also identifying areas for further research.