Veltassa

Hyperkalemia

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

4 Active Studies for Veltassa

What is Veltassa

Patiromer

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Patiromer is a medication sold under the brand name Veltassa that is taken orally as a powder suspended in water. It is made up of a non-absorbed potassium-binding polymer, calcium-sorbitol, and other compounds. Each gram of Patiromer is equal to 2 grams of its active ingredients. Patiromer is an amorphous powder made up of small spherical beads.

Veltassa

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Veltassa Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Veltassa

Patiromer

2015

3

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Patiromer, also known as Veltassa, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses such as Hyperkalemia and Hyperkalemia .

Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia

Effectiveness

How Veltassa Affects Patients

Patiromer has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of other oral medications if taken too close together. To avoid this, take other oral medications at least three hours before or after taking patiromer.

How Veltassa works in the body

Patiromer helps to lower potassium levels in the body by binding to potassium in the gastrointestinal tract. This binding reduces the amount of free potassium in the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn lowers the amount of potassium in the bloodstream.

When to interrupt dosage

The suggested measure of Veltassa depends on the diagnosed condition. The amount of dosage is contingent upon the technique of delivery (e.g. Powder, for suspension or Oral) detailed in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Hyperkalemia

8400.0 mg, , 16800.0 mg, 25200.0 mg

, Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral

Warnings

There are 3 known major drug interactions with Veltassa.

Common Veltassa Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Ciprofloxacin

Moderate

Patiromer can cause a decrease in the absorption of Ciprofloxacin resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.

Levothyroxine

Moderate

Patiromer can cause a decrease in the absorption of Levothyroxine resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.

Metformin

Moderate

Patiromer can cause a decrease in the absorption of Metformin resulting in a reduced serum concentration and potentially a decrease in efficacy.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Veltassa Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Veltassa?

Currently, 7 clinical trials are underway to investigate the potential of Veltassa to remediate Hyperkalemia.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Hyperkalemia

4 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 1

Veltassa Reviews: What are patients saying about Veltassa?

5

Patient Review

10/17/2016

Veltassa for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

This has worked well for me! I find that it tastes better when I mix it with orange juice in a blender, rather than just water.

4

Patient Review

7/28/2019

Veltassa for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

I've been using this product for a while now, and I recently noticed that the powder has changed from peachy colored to white. Is it still effective?

3.7

Patient Review

5/3/2021

Veltassa for High Amount of Potassium in the Blood

While this medication is effective, it's really inconvenient to have to take all of these extra steps. I wish the packets were easier to open so that I could take them on the go more easily.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about veltassa

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Does Veltassa make you poop?

"The most common side effects of Veltassa include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. Gas is also a common side effect. Let your doctor know if you experience any side effects that are bothersome or don't go away. These are just some of the potential side effects of Veltassa."

Answered by AI

What is Veltassa prescribed for?

"This drug is administered to patients who have high potassium levels in their blood. Elevated potassium levels can potentially cause irregular heartbeats. The drug works by binding to potassium, which is then excreted from the body in stool."

Answered by AI

When should Veltassa be taken?

"Veltassa is intended to be taken once daily, either with or without food. The oral powder must be mixed with water before taking, and each dose should be prepared immediately prior to administration. To prepare a dose, measure out 1/3 cup of water."

Answered by AI

When is the best time to take Veltassa?

"Make sure you leave at least three hours between taking VELTASSA and any other medicine taken orally."

Answered by AI

What are side effects of Veltassa?

"The most common side effects of VELTASSA are: constipation, low levels of magnesium, diarrhea, nausea, stomach-area (abdominal) discomfort, and gas."

Answered by AI

How much does Veltassa lower potassium?

"If you stop taking Veltassa, your potassium levels will increase within a week."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Veltassa

Image of Seven Oaks General Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre in Winnipeg, Canada.

Dietary Potassium Liberalization for Chronic Kidney Disease

18+
All Sexes
Winnipeg, Canada

The study will look at the impact of the potassium content in fruits and vegetables, on serum potassium concentrations in people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) using a randomized crossover design. Participants will receive home delivery of fruit and vegetables with either higher or lower potassium content in a random order. Clinical chemistry markers from blood and urine samples, blood pressure, physical functioning and health related quality of life will be assessed throughout the duration of the trial. This study will also measure their physical functioning, using a chair stand test. The results of this study could change the dietary recommendations for people with CKD related to potassium.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Seven Oaks General Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre (+1 Sites)

Dylan Mackay, PhD

Image of Research Site in Birmingham, United States.

SZC for Hyperkalemia

No minimum age - 18
All Sexes
Birmingham, AL

Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate has been shown to be effective and safe in adults for the treatment of hyperkalaemia, and therefore it is expected to be beneficial in children. This study will evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in children \<18 years of age. Approximately 140 participants will enter CP at approximately 46 sites in locations including but not limited to Europe and North America for this study. Treatment will include 3 phases: the CP, MP, and LTMP. Enrolment will start in 2 cohorts, ages 6 to \< 12 years and 12 to \< 18 years. After review of accumulated data, the independent Data Monitoring Committee (iDMC) will recommend whether to open enrolment in the ages 2 to \< 6 years cohort and later in the ages 0 to \< 2 years cohort. All eligible participants with hyperkalaemia will enter an open-label Correction Phase (CP) receiving a fixed dose of SZC three times daily (TID) for up to 3 days until normokalaemia is achieved. Within each age cohorts 2 to \< 18 years, initial participants will be allocated to the dose level (DL) based on body weight equivalent to an adult 5 g TID. After recommendation of higher DLs by the iDMC, subsequent participants may be allocated in the CP to on body weight equivalent to an adult 10 g TID and then potentially on body weight equivalent to an adult 15 g TID. All participants in the ages 0 to \< 2 years cohort will be assigned to the same DL which will be decided based on data from older age cohorts. Participants who successfully achieve normokalaemia in the CP will enter a 28-day open-label Maintenance Phase (MP), which will be initiated with once daily administration of the dose received TID in the CP. During MP, the Investigator is able to titrate the dose up or down in the range 2.5 g to 15 g body weight equivalent to maintain normokalaemia. For participants who, at the end of MP, are normokalaemic or hyperkalaemic without being on maximum dose, the MP is followed by the option to continue the study in a long term maintenance phase (LTMP) where the same titration regimen is used as in MP

Phase 3
Recruiting

Research Site (+9 Sites)

AstraZeneca