Sucroferric oxyhydroxide: a review in hyperphosphataemia in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis

Sucroferric oxyhydroxide (Velphoro®), an iron-based oral phosphate binder, is available for the control of serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. In a pivotal phase III trial, sucroferric oxyhydroxide 1000-3000 mg/day for 24 weeks was noninferior to sevelamer carbonate 4800-14,400 mg/day with regard to lowering serum phosphorus levels. Additionally, sucroferric oxyhydroxide at maintenance dosages was significantly more effective than low dosage sucroferric oxyhydroxide (250 mg/day) with regard to maintaining controlled serum phosphorus levels during weeks 24-27 of treatment. Sucroferric oxyhydroxide had a numerically lower mean daily pill burden and better treatment adherence than sevelamer carbonate. Treatment with sucroferric oxyhydroxide was generally well tolerated over 24 weeks' treatment, with the most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events being mild, transient diarrhoea and discoloured faeces. In a 28-week extension study, the efficacy and tolerability profile of sucroferric oxyhydroxide remained similar to sevelamer carbonate for up to 52 weeks. In conclusion, sucroferric oxyhydroxide is a valuable treatment option for hyperphosphataemia in CKD patients on dialysis, providing an effective and generally well tolerated noncalcium-based phosphate binder therapy with a lower pill burden than sevelamer carbonate and the potential for improved treatment adherence.