Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide

Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide is a prescription medication used for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. 

• Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide is available under the following different brand names: Velphoro

Adult dosage

Chewable tablet

• 500 mg (amount of iron)

Hyperphosphatemia

Adult dosage

• Initial: 500 mg orally thrice daily with each meal

Titration and maintenance

• Monitor serum phosphorus levels and titrate the dose in decrements or increments of 500 mg (i.e., 1 tablet) per day as needed until an acceptable serum phosphorus level (less than 5.5 mg/dL) is reached, with regular monitoring afterward
• Titration can be started as early as 1 week after treatment initiation and adjusted at weekly intervals thereafter if necessary
• Based on clinical studies, on average patients required 3-4 tablets (1,500-2,000 mg/day)
• The highest daily dose studied in the Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with ESRD was 6 tablets (3,000 mg/day)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”.

Common side effects of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide include:

• discolored (dark-colored) feces
• diarrhea, and
• nausea

Serious side effects of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide include:

• hives
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and
• skin rash

Rare side effects of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • levothyroxine
• Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide has serious interactions with the following drug:
  • erdafitinib
• Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide has moderate interactions with the following drugs:
  • alendronate
  • doxycycline
  • sodium sulfate/magnesium sulfate/potassium chloride
  • sodium sulfate/potassium sulfate/magnesium sulfate
• Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide has minor interactions with no other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• None

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide?”

Cautions

• Monitor effect and iron homeostasis with patients with peritonitis during peritoneal dialysis, significant gastric or hepatic disorders, following major gastrointestinal surgery, or with a history of hemochromatosis or other diseases with iron accumulation; clinical studies not performed in these groups of patients
• Do not prescribe oral levothyroxine
• Do not administer alendronate or doxycycline at the same time; alendronate or doxycycline must be given at least 1 hr before sucroferric Oxyhydroxide

Pregnancy and Lactation

• The drug is not systemically absorbed following oral administration; maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug
• Lactation
  • This drug is not absorbed systemically following oral administration and breastfeeding is not expected to result in the exposure of the child to the drug