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Drugs A–Z

Tenapanor

Tenapanor is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Brand names
XPHOZAH 10 mg, XPHOZAH 20 mg, XPHOZAH 30 mg
Taken
Oral
Label
Ardelyx, Inc., revised June 27, 2025 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
No · details

What it is used for

XPHOZAH is indicated to reduce serum phosphorus in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis as add-on therapy in patients who have an inadequate response to phosphate binders or who are intolerant of any dose of phosphate binder therapy. XPHOZAH is a sodium hydrogen exchanger 3 (NHE3) inhibitor indicated to reduce serum phosphorus in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis as add-on therapy in patients who have an inadequate response to phosphate binders or who are intolerant of any dose of phosphate binder therapy ( 1 ).

Forms and strengths

XPHOZAH tablets available as: 10 mg tenapanor supplied as a yellow, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with " " on one side and "T10" on the other side. 20 mg tenapanor supplied as a brown, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with " " on one side and "T20" on the other side. 30 mg tenapanor supplied as a red, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet debossed with " " on one side and "T30" on the other side. Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg ( 3 ). Image Image Image

Who should not take it (contraindications)

XPHOZAH is contraindicated in patients under 6 years of age because of the risk of diarrhea and serious dehydration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Use in Specific Populations (8.5) ]. XPHOZAH is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction. Pediatric patients under 6 years of age ( 4 ). Patients with known or suspected mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction ( 4 ).

Warnings and precautions

Patients may experience severe diarrhea ( 5.1 ).

5.1 Diarrhea Diarrhea was the most common adverse reaction in XPHOZAH-treated patients with CKD on dialysis [see Dosage and Administration (2) , Contraindications (4) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. In clinical trials, diarrhea was reported in up to 53% of patients, reported as severe in 5%, and associated with dehydration and hyponatremia in less than 1% of patients. Treatment with XPHOZAH should be discontinued in patients who develop severe diarrhea.

Side effects (adverse reactions)

Most common adverse reaction in the combined clinical trials was diarrhea, reported by 43-53% of patients ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ardelyx at 1-844-974-6924 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety data described below reflect data from 754 adults with CKD on dialysis taking XPHOZAH in clinical trials as monotherapy and in combination with phosphate binders. Among the 754 patients, 258 patients were exposed to tenapanor for at least 26 weeks and 75 were exposed to tenapanor for at least one year. [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Most Common Adverse Reaction Diarrhea, which occurred in 43-53% of patients, was the only adverse reaction reported in at least 5% of XPHOZAH-treated patients with CKD on dialysis across trials. The majority of diarrhea events in the XPHOZAH-treated patients were reported to be mild-to-moderate in severity and resolved over time, or with dose reduction. Diarrhea was typically reported soon after initiation but could occur at any time during treatment with XPHOZAH. Severe diarrhea was reported in 5% of XPHOZAH-treated patients in these trials [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] .

6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of XPHOZAH. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Hypersensitivity reactions: pruritis, rash, and urticaria

Drug interactions

OATP2B1 Substrates: Potential for reduced exposure of the concomitant drug (e.g., enalapril). Monitor for signs related to loss of efficacy and adjust the dosage of the concomitantly administered drug as needed ( 7.1 ). Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (SPS): Separate administration by at least three hours ( 7.2 ). 7.1 OATP2B1 Substrates Tenapanor is an inhibitor of intestinal uptake transporter, OATP2B1 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Drugs which are substrates of OATP2B1 may have reduced exposures when concomitantly taken with XPHOZAH. Monitor for signs related to loss of efficacy and adjust the dose of concomitantly administered drug as needed. Enalapril is a substrate of OATP2B1. When enalapril was coadministered with XPHOZAH (30 mg twice daily for five days), the peak exposure (C max ) of enalapril and its active metabolite, enalaprilat, decreased by approximately 70% and total systemic exposures (AUC) decreased by 50 to 65% compared to when enalapril was administered alone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . However, the decrease in enalaprilat's exposure with XPHOZAH may be offset by the inherently higher exposures observed in patients with CKD on dialysis due to its reduced renal clearance. Therefore, a lower starting dose of enalapril, which is otherwise recommended in patients with CKD on dialysis is not required when enalapril is coadministered with XPHOZAH.

7.2 Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Separate administration of XPHOZAH and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) by at least 3 hours. SPS binds to many commonly prescribed oral medicines.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Tenapanor is essentially non-absorbed systemically, with plasma concentrations below the limit of quantification (less than 0.5 ng/mL) following oral administration [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Therefore, maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug. The available data on XPHOZAH exposure from a small number of pregnant women have not identified any drug associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In reproduction studies with tenapanor in pregnant rats and rabbits, no adverse fetal effects were observed in rats at 0.2 times the maximum recommended human dose and in rabbits at doses up to 15 times the maximum recommended human dose (based on body surface area) [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for women with CKD on dialysis with hyperphosphatemia is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the United States general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Animal Data In an embryofetal development study in rats, tenapanor was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at dose levels of 1, 10 and 30 mg/kg/day. Tenapanor doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg/day were not tolerated by the pregnant rats and was associated with mortality and moribundity with body weight loss. The 10 and 30 mg/kg dose group animals were sacrificed early, and the fetuses were not examined for intrauterine parameters and fetal morphology. No adverse fetal effects were observed in rats at 1 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.2 times the maximum recommended human dose) and in rabbits at doses up to 45 mg/kg/day (approximately 15 times the maximum recommended human dose, based on body surface area). In a pre- and post-natal developmental study in mice, tenapanor at doses up to 200 mg/kg/day (approximately 16.5 times the maximum recommended human dose, based on body surface area) had no effect on pre- and post-natal development.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Tenapanor and its major metabolite, M1, were not detected in the breast milk of lactating women ( see Data ). In adults, concentrations of tenapanor were below the limit of quantitation in plasma following multiple doses of tenapanor [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Maternal use of XPHOZAH is not expected to result in exposure to tenapanor or its major metabolite in breastfed infants. There is no information on the effects of tenapanor or M1 on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for XPHOZAH and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from XPHOZAH or from the underlying maternal condition. Data A clinical lactation study was conducted in seven healthy adult women who were 22 to 37 years of age. Following oral administration of tenapanor 50 mg twice daily for 3 days, the concentrations of tenapanor and its major metabolite were below the limit of quantitation (<1 ng/mL and <1 ng/mL) in all breast milk samples collected over 24 hours post dosing.

8.4 Pediatric Use Risk Summary XPHOZAH is contraindicated in patients less than 6 years of age. In nonclinical studies, deaths occurred in young juvenile rats (less than 1-week old rats; approximate human age-equivalent of less than 2 years of age) and in older juvenile rats (approximate human age-equivalent of 2 years of age) following oral administration of tenapanor, as described below in Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data. The safety and effectiveness of XPHOZAH in pediatric patients have not been established. Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data In a 21-day oral dose range finding toxicity study in juvenile rats, tenapanor was administered to neonatal rats (post-natal day (PND) 5) at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg/day. Tenapanor was not tolerated in male and female pups and the study was terminated on PND 16 due to mortalities and decreased body weight (24% to 29% reduction in females at the respective dose groups and 33% reduction in males in the 10 mg/kg/day group, compared to control). In a second dose range finding study, tenapanor doses of 0.1, 0.5, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg/day were administered to neonatal rats from PND 5 through PND 24. Treatment-related mortalities were observed at 0.5, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/day doses. These premature deaths were observed as early as PND 8, with majority of deaths occurring between PND 15 and 25. In the 5 mg/kg/day group, mean body weights were 47% lower for males on PND 23 and 35% lower for females on PND 22 when compared to the controls. Slightly lower mean tibial lengths (5% to 11%) were noted in males and females in the 0.5, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/day dose groups on PND 25 and correlated with the decrements in body weight noted in these groups. Lower spleen, thymus, and/or ovarian weights were noted at the 0.5, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/day doses. Tenapanor-related gastrointestinal distension and microscopic bone findings of increased osteoclasts, eroded bone, and/or decreased bone in sternum and/or femorotibial joint were noted in males and females in the 0.5, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/day dose groups. In juvenile rats administered tenapanor at 0.03, 0.1, or 0.3 mg/kg/day on PND 5 through PND 61, treatment-related mortalities were observed at 0.3 mg/kg/day. Lower mean body weight gains were noted in the 0.3 mg/kg/day group males and females compared to the control group primarily during PND 12–24 but continuing sporadically during the remainder of the dosing period; corresponding lower mean food consumption was noted in this group during PND 21–33. As a result, mean body weights were up to 15.8% and 16.8% lower in males and females, respectively, compared to the control group; the greatest difference was on PND 24 for males and PND 21 for females. Mean body weight in the 0.3 mg/kg/day group males was only 3.9% lower than the control group on PND 61. There were no tenapanor-related effects on mean body weights, body weight gains, or food consumption in the 0.03 and 0.1 mg/kg/day group males and females. A dosage level of 0.1 mg/kg/day was considered to be the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for juvenile toxicity of tenapanor [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. In a 21-day oral dose range finding study in older (weaned) juvenile rats administered tenapanor at 0.1, 1, or 5 mg/kg/day on PND 21 through PND 41 (approximate human age-equivalent of 2 to 12 years of age), treatment-related mortalities or moribundities were observed during the first two days of the study in the 1 mg/kg/day males and the 5 mg/kg/day males and females. Watery feces, decreased food consumption, and lower mean body weight were also observed in the 1 and 5 mg/kg/day groups. In weaned juvenile rats administered tenapanor at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.7 (males) or 1 (females) mg/kg/day on PND 21 through PND 80, no mortalities were observed. Significant decreases in mean body weights were observed in the 0.3 and 0.7 mg/kg/day males throughout the dosing period (up to 20.3% lower than control) and in the 1 mg/kg/day females between PND 23 to 35 (up to 16.7% lower than control), with food consumption notably decreased on PND 21 to 29. There were also reductions in tibia length between PND 76 and 80 in the 0.3 and 0.7 mg/kg/day males, and between PND 36 and 64 in the 0.7 mg/kg/day males, which were not observed during the 14-day recovery period. The NOAEL was considered to be 0.1 mg/kg/day for juvenile toxicity of tenapanor. […]

How it works

Tenapanor is a locally acting inhibitor that targets the sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3 (NHE3), an antiporter expressed on the apical surface of the epithelium of the small intestine and colon. Inhibition of NHE3 by tenapanor results in reduced sodium absorption and decreased phosphate absorption by reducing phosphate permeability through the paracellular pathway.

Is there a generic Tenapanor?

No. The FDA has not approved a generic version yet.

Brand-name versions

  • Ibsrela Ardelyx Inc, approved 2019
  • Xphozah Ardelyx Inc, approved 2023

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Tenapanor in the news

We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news

Recalls

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID c57e279c-0f1b-4238-81b7-4e0dc0cc60c5.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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