Overview
11 DESCRIPTION The Velphoro drug substance is a mixture of polynuclear iron(III)-oxyhydroxide, sucrose, and starches. The active moiety of Velphoro, polynuclear iron(III)-oxyhydroxide, is practically insoluble and cannot be absorbed. Velphoro chewable tablets for oral use are brown, circular, bi-planar, and are embossed with "PA 500" on 1 side.
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action In the aqueous environment of the GI tract, phosphate binding takes place by ligand exchange between hydroxyl groups and/or water in sucroferric oxyhydroxide and the phosphate in the diet. The bound phosphate is eliminated with feces. Both serum phosphorus levels and calcium-phosphorus product levels are reduced as a consequence of the reduced dietary phosphate absorption. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics In vitro studies have demonstrated a robust phosphate binding capacity of Velphoro over the physiologically relevant pH range of the GI tract (1.2-7.5). The phosphate binding capacity of Velphoro peaked at pH 2.5, resulting in 96% of the available phosphate being adsorbed (phosphorus:iron concentration ratio 0.4:1). 12.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Velphoro is indicated for the control of serum phosphorus levels in adults and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. Velphoro is a phosphate binder indicated for the control of serum phosphorus levels in adult and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. ( 1 )
Common Doses
- 500 mg
- 000 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Chew or crush Velphoro tablets, do not swallow whole. ( 2.2 ) The recommended starting dose for adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older is one 500 mg tablet three times daily with meals. ( 2.1 ) The recommended starting dose for pediatric patients 9 to
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 )
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse drug reactions to Velphoro chewable tablets in clinical trials were discolored feces (12%) and diarrhea (6%). ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Fresenius Medical Care Renal Therapies Group, LLC at 1-800-323-5188 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Adult Patients Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not...
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 1 Oral drugs that can be administered concomitantly with Velphoro Calcitriol Ciprofloxacin Digoxin Enalapril Furosemide HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors Hydrochlorothiazide Losartan Metoprolol Nifedipine Omeprazole Quinidine Warfarin Oral drugs that are to be separated from Velphoro Dosing Recommendations Doxycycline Acetylsalicylic acid Cephalexin Take at least 1 hour before Velphoro. Levothyroxine Take at least 4 hours before Velphoro Oral medications not listed in Table 1 There are no empirical data on avoiding drug interactions between Velphoro and most concomitant...