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VELTASSA binds K+ throughout the GI tract and acts longest in the colon, where K+ is most abundant1–4

When K+ excretion is disrupted by CKD and/or RAAS inhibition, K+ may build up in the colon.

VELTASSA is fully ionized at the physiological pH of the colon where it exchanges potassium for calcium
  • Na+ exchange is greatest in the ascending colon
  • Normal concentration of K+ is 7x higher in the colon than in the small intestine, and K+ secretion in the colon is further upregulated in patients with CKD
  • VELTASSA exchanges Ca++ for K+ where K+
    is most abundant
    • VELTASSA is designed to be fully ionized at the physiological pH of the colon for optimal ion exchange
    • VELTASSA is designed to exchange Ca++ for K+ in the colon, where Ca++ is minimally absorbed
  • After VELTASSA binds to K+, the patiromer beads are excreted through feces, leading to the removal of excess K+ from the body
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VELTASSA is different from other K+ binders

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INDICATION

VELTASSA is indicated for the treatment of hyperkalemia in adults and pediatric patients ages 12 years and older.

Limitation of Use: VELTASSA should not be used as an emergency treatment for life-threatening hyperkalemia because of its delayed onset of action.

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INDICATION & Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information

VELTASSA is indicated for the treatment of hyperkalemia.

Limitation of Use: VELTASSA should not be used as an emergency treatment for life-threatening hyperkalemia because of its delayed onset of action.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

VELTASSA is contraindicated in patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to VELTASSA or any of its components.

INDICATION

VELTASSA is indicated for the treatment of hyperkalemia in adults and pediatric patients ages 12 years and older.

Limitation of Use: VELTASSA should not be used as an emergency treatment for life-threatening hyperkalemia because of its delayed onset of action.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

VELTASSA is contraindicated in patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to VELTASSA or any of its components.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Worsening of Gastrointestinal Motility: Avoid use of VELTASSA in patients with severe constipation, bowel obstruction or impaction, including abnormal post-operative bowel motility disorders, because VELTASSA may be ineffective and may worsen gastrointestinal conditions. Patients with a history of bowel obstruction or major gastrointestinal surgery, severe gastrointestinal disorders, or swallowing disorders were not included in clinical studies.

Hypomagnesemia: VELTASSA binds to magnesium in the colon, which can lead to hypomagnesemia. In clinical studies, hypomagnesemia was reported as an adverse reaction in 5.3% of adult patients treated with VELTASSA. Approximately 9% of adult patients in clinical trials developed hypomagnesemia with a serum magnesium value < 1.4 mg/dL. Monitor serum magnesium. Consider magnesium supplementation in patients who develop low serum magnesium levels.

MOST COMMON ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥  2%) in adult patients treated with VELTASSA were constipation (7.2%), hypomagnesemia (5.3%), diarrhea (4.8%), nausea (2.3%), abdominal discomfort (2.0%) and flatulence (2.0%). Mild to moderate hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 0.3% of adult patients treated with VELTASSA and included edema of the lips.The safety profile of VELTASSA in a study of 14 pediatric patients ages 12 to 17 years was generally similar to that observed in adult patients.

CKD=chronic kidney disease; GI=gastrointestinal; RAAS=renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

  1. References:
  2. Li L, Harrison SD, Cope MJ, et al. Mechanism of action and pharmacology of patiromer, a nonabsorbed cross-linked polymer that lowers serum potassium concentration in patients with hyperkalemia. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2016;21(5):456–465. doi:10.1177/1074248416629549
  3. Sandle GI. Salt and water absorption in the human colon: a modern appraisal. Gut. 1998;43(2):294–299. doi:10.1136/gut.43.2.294
  4. Noureddine L, Dixon BS. Complications and management of hyperkalemia: implications for the use of the novel cation exchangers zirconium cyclosilicate and patiromer. Clin Invest (Lond). 2015;5(10):805–823. doi:10.4155/cli.15.48
  5. Bronner F. Mechanisms of intestinal calcium absorption. J Cell Biochem. 2003;88(2):387–393. doi:10.1002/jcb.10330