Veltassa

Veltassa is a medicine used for treating adults with high levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia). Hyperkalaemia can cause serious heart problems and muscle weakness.

Veltassa contains the active substance patiromer.

Veltassa is available as sachets (8.4, 16.8 and 25.2 g) of patiromer containing a powder for mixing with water or some fruit juices and taking by mouth. The recommended starting dose is 8.4 g once a day. The doctor then adjusts the dose at intervals of at least one week, based on the patient’s blood levels of potassium. The maximum dose is 25.2 g once a day. The Veltassa mixture should be taken with food and at least 3 hours before or after any other medicines the patient takes by mouth. For further information, see the package leaflet.

The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

When Veltassa is taken by mouth, the active substance, patiromer, remains in the gut where it attaches tightly to potassium to form a compound that is then passed out in the stool. In this way patiromer draws potassium from the body into the gut and so reduces the amount of potassium in the blood.

One main study involving patients with chronic kidney disease who had hyperkalaemia found that Veltassa is effective in reducing potassium levels in the blood.

In the first part of the study, 243 patients with hyperkalaemia (with average potassium level of 5.6 mmol/litre) were treated with Veltassa. After 4 weeks of treatment, their potassium level fell on average by 1.0 mmol/litre.

The second part of the study compared Veltassa with placebo (a dummy treatment) in 107 patients whose potassium level had fallen with Veltassa treatment during the first part of the study. After 4 weeks, the average potassium level did not change in patients who received Veltassa for 4 weeks but it went back up by an average of 0.7 mmol/litre in patients who received placebo.

The most common side effects with Veltassa (which may affect more than 1 in 100 people) are those affecting the digestive system (constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and wind) and blood tests showing low levels of magnesium in the blood. For the full list ofall side effects and restrictions with Veltassa, see the package leaflet.

The European Medicines Agency decided that Veltassa’s benefits are greater than its risks and recommended that it be approved for use in the EU. The Agency considered that there is a need for effective treatment of hyperkalaemia and Veltassa achieves a meaningful lowering of potassium levels. The side effects are relatively moderate but the doctor should take them into account when considering treatment with Veltassa.

Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of Veltassa have been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.

The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union for Veltassa on 19 July 2017.

For more information about treatment with Veltassa, read the package leaflet (also part of the EPAR) or contact your doctor or pharmacist.