By: James Pitt  Apr. 18, 2018

Veltassa (patiromer) is a medication introduced in 2015 that binds potassium in the GI tract in order to lower high blood potassium levels, a condition known as hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is often comorbid with chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease. One reason for this comorbidity may be the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, which are very common in heart failure treatments.

By: Jeffrey Maser  Mar. 29, 2018

Veltassa (patiromer), by Relypsa, is a prescription medication taken to reduce high levels of potassium in a patient's blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are especially at risk for hyperkalemia, as research shows the incidence of hyperkalemia as high as 40-50% in patients with CKD, compared to only 2-3% of the general population. CKD patients at the highest risk for hyperkalemia include those with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, advanced CKD, transplant recipients and/or those taking renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors. One caveat here is that the CKD patients who are treated with RAAS inhibitors are the same patients who benefit most from this treatment. Such information underlines the need for effective hyperkalemia treatments, especially in patients with CKD.