Frequently asked questions

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What is high potassium?

Potassium is an important nutrient that helps keep your muscles working properly and your heartbeat regular. In people with healthy kidneys, extra potassium is removed from the body. But if your kidneys aren’t working well, they might not be able to do what they’re supposed to—and the potassium levels in your blood can become higher than normal. That condition is called high potassium (or hyperkalemia), and it can lead to serious health issues.

What are the risks of high potassium?

High potassium can cause serious, life-threatening health issues—such as irregular heartbeat and other heart problems—and can possibly lead to hospitalization. Click to learn more.

Can high potassium be treated?

VELTASSA is a prescription medication used to treat high levels of potassium in your blood. When taken daily, VELTASSA helps control potassium levels. 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. Learn more about how VELTASSA can help.

What is VELTASSA?

VELTASSA is a sodium-free prescription medication that is taken once a day to treat high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). In a small study, most people found that VELTASSA has no taste or smell. It is not known if VELTASSA is safe and effective in children.

How do I take VELTASSA?

You mix VELTASSA (in its powder form) with 1/3 cup of water and drink. It’s important to take VELTASSA every day as prescribed by your doctor. If you stop taking VELTASSA, even for a few days, your potassium levels can increase. In a clinical study, patients who stopped taking VELTASSA experienced an increase in their potassium levels within 1 week.

Watch a video about how to take VELTASSA

Can I keep VELTASSA out of the refrigerator?

Although VELTASSA should be refrigerated, you can store it outside of the refrigerator at room temperature for up to 3 months. That means you can travel or be away from your refrigerator and still keep up with treatment. Once VELTASSA is removed from the refrigerator, do not re-refrigerate it. Learn more about how to store VELTASSA >

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.

What foods are high in potassium?

Here are some foods that are high in potassium, so limit them in your diet: Fruits Avocados, bananas, oranges, nectarines, kiwifruit, mangos, papayas, prunes, pomegranates Vegetables Brussels sprouts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes and tomato products, spinach, beans and legumes, vegetable juices Other Milk, yogurt, granola, nuts and seeds, peanut butter, salt substitute

Be sure to speak with your healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet.

Explore 89 low-potassium recipes you can make at home

What foods are low in potassium?

Here are some low-potassium foods—include them in your diet, but eat in moderation to limit your potassium intake: Fruits Apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, grapes, pears, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries Vegetables Corn, cabbage (cooked), carrots (cooked), cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, kale, lettuce, onions, peas Other Rice, noodles, pasta, bread (not whole grain), pies (without high-potassium fruit)

Be sure to speak with your healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet.

Explore 89 low-potassium recipes you can make at home