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Velphoro Coupon - Velphoro 90 chewable tablets of 500mg bottle

Velphoro

sucroferric oxyhydroxide
Used for Kidney Disease, Hyperphosphatemia
Used for Kidney Disease, Hyperphosphatemia

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.

Last reviewed on April 7, 2021
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What is Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)?

What is Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) used for?

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

How Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) works

Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) is a phosphate binder. It works like a magnet to pull phosphates from the food you eat and get rid of it in your stool.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsVelphoro
Drug ClassPhosphate binder
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$1934.79(save 19.88%)
GoodRx discount
$1550.23
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What are the side effects of Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Dark stool (12%)
  • Diarrhea (6%)

Other Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Skin rash
  • Discolored teeth (a change in color of your teeth)

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Dark-colored stools

diarrhea

nausea

Less common

Change in taste

Incidence not known

Skin rash

tooth discoloration

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)

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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)

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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.

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)

pharmacist
  • Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) tablets must be chewed and not swallowed whole. If you have trouble chewing and swallowing the tablets, try crushing them first.

    • Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) is taken three times a day with meals. Try keeping the medication bottle in the kitchen to help you remember.

      • It's normal for medications containing iron like Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) to make your stool become darker in color. Don't be alarmed if you notice your stools are darker than usual.

        • Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) only works when you eat a meal or snack. If you miss a dose, don't try to replace the dose you missed. Just remember to take Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) the next time you eat.

          faqs

          Frequently asked questions about Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)

          Am I supposed to swallow or chew Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) tablets?
          You're supposed to chew Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) tablets; don't swallow them whole. You can crush the medication first if that makes it easier to chew. Some people find Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) easier to chew than other phosphate binder medications, like lanthanum (Fosrenol) or sevelamer hydrochloride (Renagel).
          What do Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) tablets taste like?
          Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) tablets have a berry flavor. People find them similar to the over-the-counter antacid medication Tums.
          How quickly do phosphate binders like Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) work?
          Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) will start to lower your blood phosphorus levels after a few days. Your provider may adjust your dose after a week as needed to get your blood phosphorous levels within the normal range.
          Why do I have to take Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) with food?
          Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) works by binding to the phosphorus in your food. The medication won't work if you take it on an empty stomach because there's no food to bind to.
          Why do people on dialysis have to take phosphate binders like Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)?
          When a person has kidney disease, they aren't able to get rid of excess phosphorus in the body, so phosphate binders like Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) helps prevent extra phosphorus from being absorbed from food.
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          What are the risks and warnings for Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)?

          Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

          risk-warning

          Possible high iron risk

          • Risk factors: History of peritonitis (swelling of your stomach lining) | History of stomach problems or major stomach surgery | History of liver disease | History of iron build-up in the body

            People with peritonitis, stomach problems, liver disease, or issues with high iron levels weren't studied in clinical studies with Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide). If you have any of these conditions, your provider will regularly check your iron levels, since high iron levels can be dangerous.

            risk-warning

            Drug interactions

            • Risk factors: Taking levothyroxine (Synthroid) | Taking doxycycline

              Taking Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) with certain medications can affect how they work. Let your provider or pharmacist know about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and supplements. This is especially important if you take levothyroxine (Synthroid) for your thyroid, since you'll need to take levothyroxine (Synthroid) at least 4 hours before Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide). If you take the antibiotic doxycycline with Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide), make sure it's at least 1 hour before your Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) dose.

              dosage

              Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) dosage forms

              The average cost for 1 bottle of 90 chewable tablets of 500mg of Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) is $1550.23 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 19.88% off the average retail price of $1934.79.
              bottle
              Bottle
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              90 chewable tablets of 500mg1 bottle$1550.23$1550.23

              Typical dosing for Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)

              The typical starting dose is 1 tablet (500 mg) by mouth three times a day with meals.

              After a week or so, your provider will adjust your dose to get your blood phosphorus level within the normal range. The maximum dose is 6 tablets a day.

              interactions

              Interactions between Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) and other drugs

              Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

              • Erdafitinib
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              alternatives

              What are alternatives to Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)?

              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
              Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)
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              • High blood phosphate levels in people with advanced kidney disease on dialysis

              $1550.23 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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              Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) images

              Brown Round Pa 500 - Velphoro 500mg Chewable Tablet
              This medicine is Brown, Round Bottle Imprinted With "Pa 500".Brown Round Pa 500 - Velphoro 500mg Chewable Tablet

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