Veltassa

If you have high potassium levels, such as due to certain medical conditions (like kidney problems) or certain medications, it's important to take Veltassa if it's prescribed to you. This medication helps get your potassium levels down to a safer range. Although many people don't get symptoms when there's too much potassium in the body, it can potentially be life-threatening. Some symptoms include weakness, nausea, muscle cramps or pain, and chest pain. But more seriously, it can also cause your heart to beat irregularly, which can be dangerous.

Yes, it's possible for Veltassa to cause diarrhea. In clinical studies, about 5% of people who took Veltassa reported having diarrhea. If you experience bothersome diarrhea while you're taking this medication, contact your provider. They can recommend ways to help manage this side effect, such as adding soluble fiber to your diet to help add bulk to your stool or over-the-counter medications. But if you have diarrhea that doesn't go away or have concerning symptoms along with diarrhea, talk with your provider right away so they can check to see what's going on.

During the course of a year-long clinical study, up to 95% of people with chronic kidney disease and Type 2 diabetes who took Veltassa were able to keep their potassium levels within normal range (between 3.5 mEq/L and 5 mEq/L). About 6% of participants' potassium levels dropped too low (below 3.5 mEq/L). For this reason, be sure to keep up with lab appointments so your provider can make sure your potassium doesn't drop too low while taking this medication.

Yes, you need to store the Veltassa powder packets in the refrigerator. If you happen to leave the packets at room temperature, that's okay too — you just need to use them within 3 months. No matter how you store it, don't use Veltassa after the expiration date that's printed on the packet.

It can take several hours for Veltassa to start to work, but its effects linger. A small study showed that it took at least about 7 hours after a Veltassa dose for people's potassium levels to get to a desirable level. This potassium-lowering effect, however, might last for up to 2 days (48 hours). Keep in mind that everyone might respond to the medication differently.

The manufacturer recommends mixing Veltassa with water, apple juice, or cranberry juice only. The Veltassa powder will make the mixture look cloudy; this is okay. But if the mixture is too thick, you can add more liquid to make it more drinkable. Don't mix Veltassa with a blender. Also, never add the powder to hot foods or liquids, or heat up the mixture (e.g., microwaved).

No. While Lokelma (sodium zirconium cyclosilicate) and Veltassa are both potassium binders that work well to treat high levels of potassium in adults, they aren't the same medication. Veltassa is always taken once per day. But for people who aren't on dialysis, Lokelma is taken three times per day for the first 2 days of treatment, then generally either once every day or every other day. In addition, the Veltassa powder can also be mixed with apple or cranberry juice or soft foods, while the Lokelma powder can only be mixed with water. Lastly, Veltassa might be a better option for people with heart failure or kidney problems, since it doesn't contain a high amount of sodium and raise the risk of fluid overload like Lokelma does. Discuss the best option with your provider.