New oral treatment for hyperkalaemia

Veltassa (patiromer) is a powder for oral suspension licensed for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in adults.

Patiromer is a non-absorbed, cation exchange polymer that contains a calcium-sorbitol complex as a counterion. The drug increases faecal potassium excretion through binding of potassium in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Binding of potassium reduces the concentration of free potassium in the gastrointestinal lumen resulting in reduced serum potassium.

Each Veltassa sachet contains 8.4g or 16.8g patiromer (as sorbitex calcium) to be mixed with approximately 80ml water, apple or cranberry juice. The mixture should be taken within one hour of initial suspension.

The product information for Veltassa states that there is limited experience in patients with serum potassium concentrations greater than 6.5mmol/l and in those with end-stage renal disease (eGFR <15ml/min/1.73m²) or on dialysis.