Sajad Ataei Azimi
1 
, Asaad Abass Fadhel Khalif
2, Ahmadreza Siyasari
3 , Zahra Bazargani
4 , Peyman Khajehnabi
5 , Sara Ghaseminejad Kermani
6 , Kamran Safa
6 , Shirin Shamsghahfarokhi
7* 1 Hematology-Oncology Department, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Al-Mustansiriyah University, College of Pharmacy, Baghdad, Iraq
3 Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Iran
4 Clinical Research Development Unit, Department of Pediatric, Valiasr Hospital, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
5 Department of Pharmacology, Cyprus International University, Lefkosa, North Cyprus
6 Department of Emergency Medicine, Imam Hossein Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
7 Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Abstract
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.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
Vadadustat is a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) which is administered to treat symptomatic anemia in adults with chronic renal failure. Clinical trials have shown that it effectively maintains hemoglobin levels within target ranges, offering a promising alternative for anemia management in chronic renal failure patients.
Please cite this paper as: Ataei Azimi S, Khalif AAF, Siyasari A, Bazargani Z, Khajehnabi P, Ghaseminejad Kermani S, Safa K, Shamsghahfarokhi Sh. Administration of vadadustat for anemia of chronic kidney disease; an updated review. J Nephropharmacol. 2025;14(x):e12806. DOI: 10.34172/npj.2025.12806.