Sparsentan at a glance
Medicine class
Dual endothelin type A and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist
Licensed use
Primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy in adults with specified levels of proteinuria
Taking the tablets
Swallow whole with water, with or without food
Important monitoring
Blood pressure, kidney function, potassium and liver tests require review
What is Sparsentan used for?
UK-licensed use:
Adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy when urine protein excretion is at least 1.0 g/day or the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio is at least 0.75 g/g.
How does Sparsentan work?
Sparsentan blocks endothelin type A and angiotensin II type 1 receptors. This reduces harmful pressure, inflammatory and scarring pathways in the kidney’s filtering units, lowering protein leakage and slowing kidney-function decline.
Sparsentan preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 mg
How to take Sparsentan
Follow the specialist’s prescription and patient card.
Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water to avoid their bitter taste.
Tablets may be taken with or without food.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice because they can increase sparsentan exposure and side effects.
Do not drive or operate machinery while affected by dizziness.
Sparsentan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Low blood pressure, including dizziness or light-headedness on standing
- High blood potassium
- Dizziness or headache
- Ankle or foot swelling from fluid retention
- Tiredness
- Changes in kidney function or increased creatinine
- Changes in liver blood tests
Get urgent medical advice
- Acute kidney injury
- Clinically significant high potassium
- Persistent or symptomatic low blood pressure
- Possible liver injury, including jaundice or dark urine
- Rapidly worsening fluid retention
Sparsentan in pregnancy
Sparsentan is contraindicated during pregnancy because of potential fetal harm. Pregnancy must be excluded before treatment; effective contraception and pregnancy testing are required as appropriate during treatment and for one month after it stops. Contact the specialist immediately if pregnancy is suspected.
Sparsentan while breastfeeding
Sparsentan should not be used while breastfeeding because transfer into milk is considered possible and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Discuss feeding options with the specialist.
Sparsentan interactions
A full medicines review is essential before starting sparsentan.
Angiotensin receptor blockers, including irbesartan, losartan and valsartan
Concomitant use is contraindicated because it duplicates angiotensin-receptor blockade and increases risks including hypotension, high potassium and kidney impairment.
Endothelin receptor antagonists, including bosentan, ambrisentan and macitentan
Concomitant use is contraindicated because it duplicates endothelin-receptor blockade.
Common questions about Sparsentan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is sparsentan an immunosuppressant?
No. It blocks endothelin and angiotensin receptors rather than directly suppressing the immune system.
Can sparsentan be taken with irbesartan or losartan?
No. Angiotensin receptor blockers must not be taken with sparsentan; the specialist should review existing treatment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.