This website is intended for US audiences only. If you are seeking global VELTASSA information, please click here.

VELTASSA is a prescription medication used to treat high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). It is not known if VELTASSA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Who should not take VELTASSA?

Do not take VELTASSA if you are allergic to VELTASSA or any of its ingredients.

What should I tell my doctor before taking VELTASSA?

Before you take VELTASSA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have problems having a bowel movement, including if you have severe constipation, a blockage (obstruction) in your bowel, or dry hard stool that will not pass out of your rectum (impaction)
  • have problems with your bowels after surgery

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of VELTASSA?

VELTASSA may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Worsening of bowel function
  • Low levels of magnesium in your blood (hypomagnesemia). Low levels of magnesium in the blood can happen when taking VELTASSA. Your doctor will check the magnesium levels in your blood during treatment with VELTASSA and may prescribe a magnesium supplement.

The most common side effects of VELTASSA include: constipation, low levels of magnesium, diarrhea, nausea, stomach-area (abdominal) discomfort, and gas.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of VELTASSA. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive and does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. To learn more about VELTASSA, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Please click here for full Prescribing Information.

Caring for your loved one—and yourself

If you’re caring for someone who’s living with high potassium, it may feel overwhelming at times. To care for them, you have to care for yourself first.

Take good care of yourself

If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else. These tips can help you manage the stress of being a caregiver.

  • Get plenty of sleep

    Most adults should try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. If you don’t get good, quality sleep, it can lead to health issues after a while. If you have trouble sleeping well, be sure to talk to your doctor.

  • Let others help

    If a friend or family member offers to help, don’t be afraid to say yes. He or she may be willing to run an errand, go for a walk with your loved one, or even cook a meal for you.

  • Set personal health goals

    Setting goals for yourself can help you keep track of the things you need to do to stay healthy. These goals could include creating a good sleep routine, being physically active on certain days each week, or making sure to drink plenty of water.

Download a guide that can help you set goals >

Help your loved one take VELTASSA as prescribed

VELTASSA basics

  • VELTASSA is a sodium-free prescription medicine used to treat high potassium.
  • Taken once daily, VELTASSA helps reduce high potassium in the blood and keeps levels lower over time.*
  • Remind your loved one: If they stop taking VELTASSA, even for a few days, their potassium levels can increase.

Watch a video about
how to take VELTASSA

*In a 52-week clinical study, up to 95% of people taking VELTASSA reduced their potassium levels and kept them normal (3.8 to <5.1 mEq/L) over time.
In a clinical study, patients who stopped taking VELTASSA experienced an increase in their potassium levels within 1 week.

Learn what you can about high potassium

  • What is it?

    High potassium (also called hyperkalemia) means the potassium level in your blood has become higher than normal.

  • Causes of high potassium

    Chronic kidney disease (also called CKD) is the most common cause of high potassium. There is also a link between heart problems and kidney function.

  • Symptoms may go unnoticed

    High potassium usually has no symptoms or only vague symptoms, and it’s typically only found during blood work. It can be hard for your loved one to know if they have high potassium, so it’s important that they talk to a doctor regularly.

  • Eating a low-potassium diet

    Sticking to a low-potassium diet isn’t always easy, but it’s important since eating foods that are high in potassium may make the condition worse.

Join Stay-on-Track for caregiver support

Stay-on-Track offers support for those caring for a loved one with high potassium, including recipes, tips for healthy living, and reminders for taking VELTASSA as prescribed. Get a carrying case when you sign up!

Sign up

VELTASSA is a prescription medication used to treat high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). It is not known if VELTASSA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Who should not take VELTASSA?

Do not take VELTASSA if you are allergic to VELTASSA or any of its ingredients.

What should I tell my doctor before taking VELTASSA?

Before you take VELTASSA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have problems having a bowel movement, including if you have severe constipation, a blockage (obstruction) in your bowel, or dry hard stool that will not pass out of your rectum (impaction)
  • have problems with your bowels after surgery

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of VELTASSA?

VELTASSA may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Worsening of bowel function
  • Low levels of magnesium in your blood (hypomagnesemia). Low levels of magnesium in the blood can happen when taking VELTASSA. Your doctor will check the magnesium levels in your blood during treatment with VELTASSA and may prescribe a magnesium supplement.

The most common side effects of VELTASSA include: constipation, low levels of magnesium, diarrhea, nausea, stomach-area (abdominal) discomfort, and gas.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of VELTASSA. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive and does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. To learn more about VELTASSA, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Please click here for full Prescribing Information.

VELTASSA is a prescription medication used to treat high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). It is not known if VELTASSA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Who should not take VELTASSA?

Do not take VELTASSA if you are allergic to VELTASSA or any of its ingredients.

What should I tell my doctor before taking VELTASSA?

Before you take VELTASSA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have problems having a bowel movement, including if you have severe constipation, a blockage (obstruction) in your bowel, or dry hard stool that will not pass out of your rectum (impaction)
  • have problems with your bowels after surgery

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of VELTASSA?

VELTASSA may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Worsening of bowel function
  • Low levels of magnesium in your blood (hypomagnesemia). Low levels of magnesium in the blood can happen when taking VELTASSA. Your doctor will check the magnesium levels in your blood during treatment with VELTASSA and may prescribe a magnesium supplement.

The most common side effects of VELTASSA include: constipation, low levels of magnesium, diarrhea, nausea, stomach-area (abdominal) discomfort, and gas.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of VELTASSA. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive and does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. To learn more about VELTASSA, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Please click here for full Prescribing Information.