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About Veltassa®

What is Veltassa®?

Veltassa® (patiromer sorbitex calcium) is a novel, next-generation, non-absorbed cation exchange polymer indicated for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in adults.1,2

It is manufactured using a suspension polymerisation process that results in insoluble spherical beads of uniform and controlled size.

  • Particle size and volume-based particle size distribution were determined by laser diffraction.

Veltassa®’s smooth microbead structure and low swelling ratio may minimise undesirable GI effects and lead to improved tolerability for patients.2

Mechanism of action of Veltassa®

Veltassa® has been designed specifically to exchange K+ for Ca2+ rather than Na+. As a result, it is suitable for patients who cannot tolerate even a small increase in sodium intake1

Image: information on the mechanism of action of Veltassa

Veltassa® increases faecal K+ excretion by exchanging Ca2+ for K+ in the lumen of the GI tract and reducing serum levels of this cation.1

  • Ca2+ ions released during the ion-exchange process may be absorbed, rebind to Veltassa®, remain in solution, or bind to anions, such as phosphate, to form relatively insoluble salt complexes3
Image: information on the mechanism of action of Veltassa

Veltassa® has been designed to be fully ionised at the physiological pH of the colon, where the concentration of K+ in the GI tract is highest,2,4,5 for optimal ion exchange

Image: information on the mechanism of action of Veltassa

Veltassa® has a 1.5−2-fold higher K+-binding capacity than other polymers2 

Image: information on the mechanism of action of Veltassa

Veltassa® is not absorbed and remains physically intact during its passage through the GI tract1

Know how to administer Veltassa®

Easy to use

Veltassa® offers easy and simple once-daily dosing from the start

  • The recommended starting dose of Veltassa® is 1 x 8.4 g sachet per day. 
  • The daily dose may be adjusted at intervals of 1 week or longer, based on the serum K+ level and the desired target range. The daily dose may be increased or decreased by 8.4 g as necessary to reach the desired target range, up to a maximum dose of 25.2 g daily.
  • >90% of patients need only 1 sachet (8.4 g) per day.6
  • Veltassa® can be suspended in apple or cranberry juice for added flavour. 

Veltassa® is easy and convenient to prepare

1

MIX

Information on how to take Veltassa: Step 1 MIX

Mix 3 tablespoons of water with an entire sachet of Veltassa®, then stir

2

ADD

Information on how to take Veltassa: Step 2 ADD

Add another 3 tablespoons of water and stir thoroughly. The powder will not dissolve and the mixture will look cloudy

3

DRINK

Information on how to take Veltassa: Step 3 DRINK

Drink immediately. If powder remains in the glass after drinking, repeat steps 2 and 3 to ensure the entire dose is taken

Veltassa® provides a palatable experience 

In a palatability questionnaire-based study in healthy volunteers, 90% of participants reported positive palatability experiences with Veltassa® in terms of odour and taste, suggesting that neither is likely to have an impact on patient acceptance or adherence.7

Veltassa® can be taken with or without food

Timing of the daily dose is flexible but, as a precautionary measure, it should be separated by 3 hours from other oral medicines.

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Notice how reliable and easy to use Veltassa® can help
keep patients on their vital RAASi therapy

References & footnotes

Ca2+, calcium ions; GI, gastrointestinal; K+, potassium ions; Na+, sodium ions.

Footnotes

Veltassa® is indicated for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in adults1

References:  

1. Veltassa® SmPC. 2. Li L, et al. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2016;21(5):456−65. 3. Bushinsky DA, et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2016;11(10):1769−76. 4. Noureddine L, Dixon BS. Clin Invest (Lond) 2015;5(10):805−23. 5. Sandle GI. Gut 1998;43(2):294−9. 6. Data on file. Healthcare Analytics (SHA), a Symphony Health Solutions Corporation (February 2019). 7. Brenner M, et al. ASHP 2016. 8. Bakris GL, et al. JAMA 2015;314(2):151−61. 9. Weir MR, et al. N Engl J Med 2015;372(3):211−21. 10. Bushinsky DA, et al. Kidney Int 2015;88(6):1427−33. 11. Pitt B, et al. Eur Heart J 2011;32(7):820−8. 12. Agarwal R, et al. Lancet 2019;394(10208):1540−50.