There are no contraindications for Velphoro.3
Resources | VELPHORO® (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)
RESOURCES AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Resources
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2-year comparative analysis
Coyne DW, Ficociello LH, Parameswaran V, et al. Kidney Med. 2020;2(3):307-316.
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6-month analysis
Coyne DW, Ficociello LH, Parameswaran V, et al. Clin Nephrol. 2017;88(2):59-67.
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1-year analysis
Kendrick J, Parameswaran V, Ficociello LH, et al.
J Ren Nutr. 2019;29(5):428-437.
Analysis from a different LDO
Gray K, Ficociello LH, Hunt AE, Mullon C, Brunelli SM. Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis. 2019;12:1-8.
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6-month analysis in patients on peritoneal dialysis
Kalantar-Zadeh K, Parameswaran V, Ficociello L, et al. Am J Nephrol. 2018;47(3):153-161.
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Largest registrational phosphate binder study
Floege J, Covic AC, Ketteler M, et al. Kidney Int. 2014;86(3):638-647.
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28-week extension study
Floege J, Covic AC, Ketteler M, et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2015;30(6):1037-1046.
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Velphoro Patient Brochure
An easy-to-read, patient-friendly presentation of the Velphoro story.
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Velphoro Fact Sheet
Essential dosing information for patients starting on Velphoro.
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Velphoro Points Program
The program for patients on Velphoro that educates and rewards adherence.
VISIT VELPHORO POINTSFrequently asked questions
Velphoro is available through commercial and Medicare Part D pharmacy benefit plans. Most patients pay less than $10/month for Velphoro.1,2 Most commercially insured patients pay $0 automatically through the Velphoro Copay Savings Program.2 Velphoro Access Solutions offers additional programs that can help patients pay for their Velphoro.
Velphoro has no interaction with commonly prescribed oral drugs, including oral calcitriol. Velphoro can be administered with levothyroxine, as long as the doses are separated by 4 hours. Take acetylsalicylic acid, cephalexin, and doxycycline at least 1 hour before Velphoro. For medications where a reduction in bioavailability would have significant effect, consider separating the administration of the two drugs, taking into account absorption characteristics of the second medication.3
Velphoro is the most potent phosphate binder per tablet.4 Use of Velphoro has been shown to reduce the phosphate-binder pill burden for patients on dialysis by half, while doubling the percentage of patients who achieve serum phosphorus levels of <5.5 mg/dL.5,6
Velphoro is a berry-flavored chewable tablet, not intended to be swallowed whole. Velphoro can also be broken or crushed. The initial starting dose for Velphoro is one 500-mg tablet, 3 times a day, with meals. Monitor serum phosphorus levels and titrate the dose of Velphoro by 1 tablet per day (not per meal), as often as weekly.3
Velphoro must be administered with meals. No additional fluids are needed beyond those customarily taken by the patient. If a dose is missed, resume Velphoro with the next meal. Do not attempt to replace the missed dose.3
In vitro studies have shown that up to 96% of available phosphate is bound by Velphoro, then eliminated in the feces. Reduction in serum phosphorus and calcium-phosphorus levels results from the subsequent reduced dietary phosphate binding.3
Adverse events with Velphoro are usually mild and transient, and similar to those of sevelamer, as seen in a 55-week, open-label, active-controlled, parallel-design safety and efficacy study of 968 hemodialysis patients, and 86 peritoneal dialysis patients. Adverse reactions in >5% of patients taking Velphoro included diarrhea (24%), discolored feces (16%), and nausea (10%). The majority of cases of diarrhea were mild, generally occurred early in treatment, and resolved with continued use.2 Additional reported reactions include tooth discoloration and rash.3
Velphoro® (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) is a phosphate binder indicated for the control of serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.3
References: 1. Medicare.gov. https://www.medicare.gov/sites/default/files/2021-08/11324%20Extra-Help-Pay-Right-Amount.pdf. Accessed September 23, 2021. 2. Data on file. Fresenius Medical Care North America, Waltham, MA. 3. Velphoro® [package insert]. Waltham, MA: Fresenius Medical Care North America; 2020. 4. Coyne DW, Larson DS, Delmez JA. Bone disease. In: Daugirdas JT, Blake PG, Ing TS, eds. Handbook of Dialysis. 5th ed, Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015:665-692. 5. Coyne DW, Ficociello LH, Parameswaran V, et al. Real-world effectiveness of sucroferric oxyhydroxide in patients on chronic hemodialysis: a retrospective analysis of pharmacy data. Clin Nephrol. 2017;88(2):59-67. 6. Kendrick J, Parameswaran V, Ficociello LH, et al. One-year historical cohort study of the phosphate binder sucroferric oxyhydroxide in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. J Ren Nutr. 2019;29(5):428-437.
