6 mins read

Overview: Baxfendy is used to help treat high blood pressure. It works by lowering the amount of a hormone in the body called aldosterone. Possible side effects are high potassium levels and low sodium levels. You will need to have blood tests before and while taking Baxfendy to check for these side effects. Contact your health care provider right away if you have unusual tiredness, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache, or confusion.

Uses

What is Baxfendy used for?

Baxfendy (baxdrostat) is commonly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in people whose blood pressure is not well controlled by other treatments.

Lowering blood pressure can help reduce the risk of serious health problems caused by high blood pressure, including heart attack and stroke.

How Baxfendy Works to Help Lower Blood Pressure

Baxfendy may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Baxfendy work (mechanism of action)?

Aldosterone is a hormone in the body that tells the kidneys to hold on to sodium (salt) and water. This can increase the amount of fluid in the bloodstream and raise blood pressure.

Baxfendy works by lowering how much aldosterone your body makes. By reducing aldosterone levels, Baxfendy can help lower blood pressure.

How is Baxfendy supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Baxfendy

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 1 mg and 2 mg oral tablets

How should I store Baxfendy?

Baxfendy should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep Baxfendy in the original bottle. Keep the desiccant packet in the bottle to help protect the tablets from moisture.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Baxfendy?

The most common side effects of Baxfendy are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • High potassium levels (see below)
  • Low sodium levels (see below)
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle spasms

There may be other side effects of Baxfendy that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Baxfendy?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Baxfendy are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Baxfendy may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Baxfendy and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

High Potassium Levels (Hyperkalemia). Baxfendy can cause high potassium levels (hyperkalemia), which can become serious or life-threatening. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Your risk of this side effect may be higher if you are age 65 or older, take certain medicines, or if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a high potassium level. 

  • Muscle weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Slow heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Trouble breathing
  • Abnormal heart rhythm

Low Sodium Levels (Hyponatremia). Baxfendy may cause low sodium levels. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low sodium level.

  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle weakness or cramps
  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • Tiredness or sleepiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weight gain
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Shortness of breath
  • Change in your mental condition, such as hallucinations, confusion, or decreased awareness or alertness
  • Seizures

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Baxfendy?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Baxfendy.

  • Baxdrostat
  • Baxfendy
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Baxfendy.

What should I know about Baxfendy before using it?

Do not take Baxfendy unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Baxfendy with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Baxfendy out of the reach of children.

Do not chew, cut, or crush Baxfendy. Swallow the tablet whole.

Your health care provider will likely check your potassium and sodium levels before you start Baxfendy and during treatment. Be sure to attend all blood test appointments. If your potassium becomes too high or your sodium becomes too low, your health care provider may temporarily stop Baxfendy treatment. 

People who are 65 and older can be at greater risk of some side effects from Baxfendy. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Baxfendy?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Baxfendy is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • High blood levels of potassium
  • Low blood levels of sodium

Other Medicines and Supplements. Baxfendy may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Baxfendy, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Baxfendy could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Baxfendy, you or your health care provider can report it to the drugmaker by calling 800-236-9933. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Baxfendy passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Baxfendy while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Baxfendy?

For more information about Baxfendy, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.baxfendy.com or call them at 800-236-9933.

Interactions

Does Baxfendy interact with foods or drinks?

Baxfendy can interact with salt substitutes that contain potassium. Having foods or drinks that contain salt substitutes can raise the risk of high potassium levels, which is a common and sometimes serious side effect of Baxfendy. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Baxfendy.

Does Baxfendy interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Baxfendy.

  • Potassium chloride (Klor-Con and others), which is a medicine used to raise potassium levels
  • Amiloride (Midamor), eplerenone (Inspra), spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir), or triamterene (Dyrenium), which is a type of diuretic, also called a water pill
  • A supplement or salt substitute containing potassium
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Baxfendy. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Baxfendy. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Baxfendy?

If you or someone else has used too much Baxfendy, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Baxfendy?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose the following day at your usual time. Do not take two doses on the same day. Do not take double or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.