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Treatment for IgA Nephropathy

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By Editorial Team

2 min read

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: June 2026 | Last updated: June 2026

There is no cure for IgA nephropathy yet, but treatment has changed a lot in recent years. The goals are to lower the amount of protein in your urine, keep your blood pressure under control, and slow damage to your kidneys. Most people are cared for by a nephrologist, a doctor who specializes in kidney disease.1-4

Foundational (supportive) care

Almost everyone with IgA nephropathy starts with supportive care that protects the kidneys:1,3,4

  • Blood pressure medicines – ACE inhibitors and ARBs lower blood pressure and reduce the protein leaking into your urine. They are the long-standing foundation of treatment.
  • SGLT2 inhibitors – These medicines lower urine protein and help slow kidney disease.
  • Cholesterol medicines (statins) – These help manage cholesterol and protect your heart.
  • Lifestyle changes – Eating less salt and quitting smoking help protect your kidneys.

Newer FDA-approved drugs for IgA nephropathy

In recent years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several drugs developed specifically for IgA nephropathy. Each works in a different way, which lets you and your doctor take a more personalized approach:5,6

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  • Tarpeyo® (budesonide) – A targeted corticosteroid that lowers the immune activity behind IgA nephropathy.
  • Filspari® (sparsentan) and Vanrafia® (atrasentan) – Endothelin receptor antagonists that lower pressure in the kidney filters and reduce protein in the urine.
  • Fabhalta® (iptacopan) – A complement inhibitor that blocks part of the immune system involved in kidney damage.

Research is moving quickly, and more treatments are being studied, so ask your doctor about the latest options.

Immune-system medicines

Because IgA nephropathy is an autoimmune disease, doctors sometimes use medicines that calm the immune system, such as corticosteroids, for people at higher risk of their disease getting worse. These can have significant side effects, so your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks with you.1,3

Clinical trials

Clinical trials test new and more targeted treatments. Joining one may give you access to a therapy that is not yet widely available. Your doctor can determine if a clinical trial is appropriate for your care and assist in finding a study that may be right for you.4

When kidneys fail

If IgA nephropathy progresses to kidney failure, treatments called dialysis or a kidney transplant can take over the work of filtering your blood and help you live for many more years.2,3

A note on how treatments are used

Some treatments used for IgA nephropathy are FDA-approved for the condition, while others are approved to treat related problems, such as high blood pressure, and are used as part of kidney care. A doctor may prescribe a drug “off-label” when evidence suggests it helps. Approved and off-label uses differ in the evidence behind them, and treatments work differently for each person. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

Talk to your doctor

Your treatment plan is personal, and it may change over time as your kidneys are monitored. Ask your care team which options fit your health, what to expect, and how each treatment protects your kidneys.3,4

Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person. This treatment information is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.