PharmaceuticalHIF prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitorOral erythropoiesis stimulant

Daprodustat

Also known as GSK1278863 · Duvroq · Jesduvroq

Written by enwyReviewed 5 Aug 20262 sources0 comments

Daprodustat is an oral HIF prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor approved by the FDA in 2023 for anaemia of chronic kidney disease in dialysis patients, and earlier in Japan. Like other HIF-PHIs it raises endogenous erythropoietin, making it a doping concern. WADA prohibits HIF activating agents at all times.

01 Overview

Daprodustat (Duvroq/Jesduvroq) stabilises HIF-alpha by inhibiting prolyl hydroxylases, increasing endogenous EPO and improving iron metabolism. The ASCEND trial programme supported non-inferiority to conventional ESAs for haemoglobin control in dialysis patients, leading to US approval in 2023 restricted to those on dialysis for at least four months.\n\nBecause it is an oral agent that boosts the body's own erythropoiesis, it is attractive for endurance doping and is explicitly covered by WADA's HIF activating agents category. Labelling carries a boxed warning about thrombosis and other cardiovascular risks common to the ESA class.

02 Mechanism

Inhibits HIF prolyl-4-hydroxylase enzymes, stabilising HIF-alpha, which upregulates erythropoietin and iron-handling genes to stimulate red blood cell production.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Dialysis anaemia (medical)	1–24 mg/day	Oral	Once daily, titrated to haemoglobin; dialysis patients

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Raised endogenous erythropoietinIncreases the body's own EPO to correct or maintain haemoglobin orally.	Hb maintained/raised	Clinical
Oral administrationBeing an oral tablet rather than an injectable makes it more convenient than conventional ESAs (and easier to misuse discreetly).	Tablet vs injection	Clinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence	Countermeasures
Thrombosis and cardiovascular eventsCarries a boxed warning for thromboembolic events, including vascular access thrombosis and MI, common to the class.	Severe	Boxed warning	Clinical
HypertensionBlood pressure elevation reported in trials.	Moderate	Common	Clinical

06 Legal status

United States

FDA-approved 2023 (dialysis only)

WADA-prohibited in sport · as of Jan 2026

07 References

Daprodustat for anemia in CKD patients on dialysis (ASCEND-D)New England Journal of Medicine, 2021

WADA Prohibited List — S2 (HIF activating agents)World Anti-Doping Agency

08 Discussion0 comments

Create account

Discussion is moderated. No sourcing, vendor names or price talk — those comments are removed, and repeat posts are banned.

This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.