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Compare Velphoro vs. Fosrenol

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) and Fosrenol (lanthanum) are both phosphate binders used to lower high blood phosphate levels in people with advanced kidney disease on dialysis. Velphoro is a chewable tablet with a berry flavor, while Fosrenol can be taken as a chewable tablet or in powder form mixed with food. Both medications are typically taken three times a day with meals and the tablets must be chewed or crushed. Velphoro can cause dark stools and discolored teeth, whereas Fosrenol may lead to nausea, vomiting, and belly pain. Additionally, Fosrenol is more expensive and can cause digestive tract blockages, which is a risk not mentioned for Velphoro. Both medications interact with other drugs, but Fosrenol specifically requires spacing out from antacids, certain antibiotics, and thyroid medications by two hours.

  • Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)
    Lanthanum (Fosrenol)
  • Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)
    Lanthanum (Fosrenol)

  • Summary of Velphoro vs. Fosrenol

    Summary for Phosphate binder
    Prescription only

    Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) helps lower phosphate levels in the blood for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. It's easy to take, since it's a chewable tablet.

    Summary for Phosphate binder
    Prescription only

    Lanthanum (Fosrenol) works well to lower phosphorus levels in the blood without affecting calcium levels in people with advanced kidney disease, but it can be expensive and you need to take it with meals.

  • Indications of Velphoro vs. Fosrenol

    Indications for
    •High blood phosphate levels in people with advanced kidney disease on dialysis
    Indications for
    •High blood phosphate levels in advanced kidney disease

  • Pros and Cons of Velphoro vs. Fosrenol

    Pros and Const for Phosphate binder
    Pros
    •May only need to chew 1 tablet of Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) per meal, whereas similar phosphate binder medications need up to 4 pills per meal to work
    •Tablets taste like berries
    •People find Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) as chewable as Tums and easier to chew than lanthanum (Fosrenol)
    Cons
    •Must be taken with meals, so you can't replace a dose that you miss. If you miss a dose, take it the next time you eat.
    •Can cause dark stools and stain your teeth
    •Can interact with many other medications. Tell your provider or pharmacist about all the medications you take, including vitamins and supplements.
    Pros and Const for Phosphate binder
    Pros
    •Works as well as other phosphate binders to lower blood phosphate levels
    •Easy to take since lanthanum (Fosrenol) comes in powder form, and the tablet form can be crushed or chewed
    •Calcium-free, which means lanthanum (Fosrenol) doesn't come with the risk of high calcium levels like some other phosphate binders
    Cons
    •Like other phosphate binders, lanthanum (Fosrenol) must be taken with meals.
    •More expensive than other phosphate binders
    •Not a good option for people with certain bowel disorders, serious liver disease, or who have trouble chewing or crushing tablets (tablet form only)

  • Common Side Effects of Velphoro vs. Fosrenol

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dark stool (12%)
    •Diarrhea (6%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (11%)
    •Vomiting (9%)
    •Belly pain (5%)

  • Warnings of Velphoro vs. Fosrenol

    Common Side Effects for
    •Possible high iron risk
    •Drug interactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Blockage of your digestive tract
    •Interference with X-rays

  • Prices with our coupons for Velphoro vs. Fosrenol

    Learn more about Velphoro
    Learn more about Lanthanum

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