SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Discussing family health history and inherited conditions may not be easy, but these conversations are critical. Many people may not recognize the role family history plays in their own health until a condition such as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) enters the picture.
ADPKD is the most common inherited kidney disease, affecting more than 600,000 people in the United States. Because it is passed down through the family line, each child of a parent with ADPKD has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. But not everyone with ADPKD has a family history – 10% of those diagnosed are the first in their family to have the disease.
The disease causes fluid-filled cysts to develop on the kidneys, interfering with their ability to function. Over time, this can lead to kidney failure, often requiring dialysis or a transplant. ADPKD is sometimes called an “invisible disease” because many people do not notice symptoms until their 30s or 40s, when damage may already be underway. Warning signs can include high blood pressure at an early age, blood or protein in the urine, kidney stones, frequent urinary tract infections, or persistent flank and back pain.
Since the disease can remain hidden for so long, early detection is critical. Imaging tests like ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans can help identify ADPKD before symptoms become severe. Knowing this information gives patients and doctors the chance to make a care plan that protects kidney health for as long as possible and helps prepare for the future.
Living with ADPKD goes beyond managing lab results and medications. Open communication with loved ones can provide emotional strength, and keeping a journal of symptoms and questions helps patients make the most of their doctor’s visits. Support from family, friends, and care teams can make an overwhelming diagnosis feel more manageable. Addressing emotional health is equally important, as ADPKD affects the whole family, not just the individual.
For adults diagnosed with ADPKD who are at risk of rapid progression, one treatment option is JYNARQUE (tolvaptan), an FDA-approved treatment proven to work over a period of years to slow the decline of kidney function. In two clinical studies, JYNARQUE slowed the decline of kidney function across chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1 to 4. TEMPO 3:4 was a three-year clinical study of patients with CKD stages 1 to 3. REPRISE was a one-year clinical study of patients with CKD stages 2 to 4.
JYNARQUE can cause serious liver problems that can lead to the need for a liver transplant or can lead to death. To monitor your liver function, JYNARQUE is only available through the Tolvaptan for ADPKD Shared System Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Please see additional Important Safety Information below. For more information, visit jynarque.com.
Although a diagnosis of ADPKD may feel daunting, taking proactive steps such as having conversations with family, pursuing screenings, and exploring treatment options can help individuals take control of their health journey.
Otsuka has a long legacy in nephrology and continues to invest in advancing kidney health worldwide. Through decades of research, the company has worked to bring forward innovative therapies for patients living with kidney disease, including those with ADPKD. That commitment remains strong today, as Otsuka strives to support patients and families facing complex kidney conditions and help shape a healthier future.
INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for JYNARQUE (tolvaptan)
INDICATION:
What is JYNARQUE?
JYNARQUE is a prescription medicine used to slow kidney function decline in adults who are at risk for rapidly progressing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). It is not known if JYNARQUE is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
• Serious liver problems. JYNARQUE can cause serious liver problems that can lead to the need for a liver transplant or can lead to death. Stop taking JYNARQUE and call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms:
• feeling tired
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• right upper stomach (abdomen) pain or tenderness
• vomiting
• fever
• rash
• itching
• yellowing of the skin and white part of the eye (jaundice)
• dark urine
It is important that you have a blood test before you start JYNARQUE to help reduce your risk of liver problems. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your liver:
• before you start taking JYNARQUE
• at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after you start treatment with JYNARQUE
• then monthly for 18 months during treatment with JYNARQUE
• and every 3 months from then on
Because of the risk of serious liver problems, JYNARQUE is only available through a restricted distribution program called the Tolvaptan for ADPKD Shared System Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).
Do not take JYNARQUE if you:
• have a history of liver problems or have signs or symptoms of liver problems, excluding polycystic liver disease
• cannot feel if you are thirsty or cannot replace fluids by drinking
• have been told that the amount of sodium (salt) in your blood is too high or too low
• are dehydrated
• are allergic to tolvaptan or any of the ingredients in JYNARQUE
• are unable to urinate
Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
• have a history of sodium (salt) levels that are too low
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if tolvaptan will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think that you may be pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if tolvaptan passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during your treatment with JYNARQUE. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during this time
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Taking JYNARQUE with certain medicines could cause you to have too much tolvaptan in your blood. JYNARQUE should not be taken with certain medications. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take JYNARQUE with other medicines
Do not start taking a new medicine without talking to your healthcare provider
JYNARQUE may cause serious side effects, including:
• Too much sodium in your blood (hypernatremia) and loss of too much body fluid (dehydration). In some cases, dehydration can lead to extreme loss of body fluid called hypovolemia. You should drink water when you are thirsty and throughout the day and night. Stop taking JYNARQUE and call your healthcare provider if you cannot drink enough water for any reason, such as not having access to water, or vomiting or diarrhea. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of the following symptoms:
• dizziness
• fainting
• weight loss
• a change in the way your heart beats
• feeling confused or weak
What should you avoid while taking JYNARQUE?
Do not drink grapefruit juice during treatment with JYNARQUE. This could cause you to have too much tolvaptan in your blood.
The most common side effects of JYNARQUE are:
• thirst and increased fluid intake
• making large amounts of urine, urinating often, and urinating at night
These are not all the possible side effects of JYNARQUE. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare professional.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. at 1-800-438-9927 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).
Please read FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING,
and MEDICATION GUIDE.
September 2025
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