Patiromer calcium
Brand names: Veltassa
Patiromer calcium is an oral non-absorbed potassium-binding powder used to treat hyperkalaemia, often in patients with chronic kidney disease or those on renin-angiotensin system inhibitors.
Adult dose
Paediatric dose
Dose adjustments
SPC 4.2: no dose adjustment is stated for renal impairment. Patients on dialysis: limited data and no special dose and administration guidelines were applied in clinical trials; no paediatric patients receiving dialysis have been treated. End-stage renal disease: patiromer has been studied only in a limited number of patients with eGFR below 15 mL/min/1.73 m2.
SPC 4.2 gives no hepatic dose adjustment (no hepatic impairment subsection in the posology).
Dose independently re-sourced from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — clinician-reviewed. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
- Section 4.4: patients with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) should not take this medicinal product (it contains sorbitol, approximately 4 g per 8.4 g of patiromer)
Side effects
- Common: hypomagnesaemia; constipation (including faeces hard); diarrhoea (including frequent bowel movements); abdominal pain (including abdominal discomfort, upper and lower abdominal pain); nausea; flatulence
- Uncommon: vomiting
- Frequency not known (post-marketing): hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, urticaria and swelling in the oral cavity and lips, of mild to moderate severity
- Adult trial frequencies: hypomagnesaemia 1.8%, constipation 3.7%, diarrhoea 3%, abdominal pain 1.4%, nausea 1.3%, flatulence 1%
- Gastrointestinal reactions were generally mild to moderate, did not appear to be dose related, generally resolved spontaneously or with treatment, and none were reported as serious
- Serum magnesium below 1.4 mg/dL (0.58 mmol/L) occurred in 7.1% of adult patients, and 0.3% developed a level below 1.0 mg/dL (0.4 mmol/L)
- Paediatric trial (23 patients aged 6 to 17 years): profile broadly consistent with adults; adverse reactions included diarrhoea, constipation, frequent bowel movements, flatulence, blood calcium increased and hypokalaemia, all non-serious and mild to moderate
- Gastrointestinal ischaemia, necrosis and/or intestinal perforation have been reported with other potassium binders
- This side-effect list may be incomplete — check the full SPC.
Interactions
- Patiromer has the potential to bind some oral co-administered medicinal products and decrease their absorption: separate patiromer by at least 3 hours from other oral medicinal products
- Reduced bioavailability when taken together, with no interaction when taken 3 hours apart: ciprofloxacin, levothyroxine, metformin
- No effect on bioavailability (no separation needed) in adult studies: amlodipine, cinacalcet, clopidogrel, furosemide, lithium, metoprolol, trimethoprim, verapamil, warfarin
- In vitro potential interaction: bisoprolol, carvedilol, mycophenolate mofetil, nebivolol, quinidine, telmisartan
- Cranberry juice (if used to prepare the suspension): limit to moderate amounts (for example less than 400 mL per day) because of its potential interaction with other medicinal products
- Interaction studies have only been performed in adults
Monitoring
- Serum potassium: monitor as per standard practice when clinically indicated, including after changes to medicinal products that affect serum potassium (e.g. RAAS inhibitors or diuretics) and after the patiromer dose is titrated or discontinued
- Serum magnesium: monitor for at least 1 month after initiating treatment and as clinically indicated; consider magnesium supplementation if low
- Serum calcium: monitor for at least 1 month after initiating treatment and as clinically indicated; evaluate benefits and risks carefully in patients at risk of hypercalcaemia
- On discontinuation serum potassium may rise, leading to recurrent hyperkalaemia, especially if RAAS inhibitor treatment is continued, as early as 2 days after the last dose; instruct patients not to stop without consulting their physician
- Gastrointestinal disorders: evaluate benefits and risks before and during treatment in patients with current or history of severe gastrointestinal disorders; patients with bowel obstruction, major gastrointestinal surgery, severe gastrointestinal disorders or swallowing disorders were not included in clinical trials
- Limited experience at serum potassium above 6.5 mmol/L and limited trial data with exposure of one year and longer in adults
- Adolescents 12 to 17 years: treatment beyond 6 months should be done with caution
Clinical monograph
How it works
It exchanges calcium for potassium primarily in the distal colon, increasing faecal potassium excretion and thereby lowering serum potassium without being systemically absorbed.
Prescribing in practice
- Separate patiromer from other oral medicines by an adequate interval because it can bind co-administered drugs in the gut and reduce their absorption.
- It is not for emergency treatment of life-threatening hyperkalaemia as its onset is too slow; use established acute measures instead.
- It can cause hypomagnesaemia and constipation, and should be taken with food.
Monitoring
Monitor serum potassium and magnesium during treatment and after dose changes.
Counselling the patient
- Take it separately from your other tablets, leaving a gap as advised.
- Mix the powder with water as directed and take it with food.
- Attend for your blood tests to check potassium and magnesium.
Evidence & guidelines
Randomised trials demonstrate sustained potassium lowering, and current prescribing references and the SPC support its use including alongside RAS inhibitors in CKD.
Reference: NICE TA1064; SmPC; Confirm identity and dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC) and NICE. Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines