Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide
About Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide is a medicine prescribed to control high phosphorus levels in the blood of adults with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. By keeping phosphorus levels within a healthy range, this medication helps prevent long-term bone and heart complications associated with kidney disease.
To work effectively, you must take Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide consistently with your meals or snacks as directed by your doctor. Along with taking this medicine, following a low-phosphorus diet recommended by your kidney specialist is essential for achieving the best results.
Some people may experience mild side effects, such as dark-colored stools or mild diarrhoea, which are typically harmless. However, you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Do not take this if you have iron overload disorders, such as hemochromatosis, or a history of severe stomach or intestinal disorders. Talk to your doctor before starting Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide if you have recently had stomach surgery or have active liver damage.
This medicine can interact with other oral medications, such as certain antibiotics or thyroid hormones, by reducing their absorption, so you may need to space them out. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Uses of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide is used in the treatment of Hyperphosphatemia (high phosphate levels in the blood). It helps lower phosphate levels in the blood and prevents complications caused by high phosphate levels in the blood..<br/>
Medicinal Benefits
Managing your phosphorus levels with Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide provides several key health benefits:
- Protects bone health: By keeping phosphorus levels low, this medicine helps prevent calcium from being pulled out of your bones, reducing the risk of weak, painful, or easily broken bones.
- Supports cardiovascular health: High phosphorus can cause calcium to build up in your blood vessels and heart. Keeping phosphorus in check helps protect your heart and blood vessels from hardening.
- Complements your kidney diet: While you still need to watch your diet, this medicine helps you manage your phosphorus targets more effectively when combined with dialysis.
Directions for Use
- Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide can be taken with or without food.
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dosage and duration.
- Chew the tablet thoroughly and swallow.
- Do not swallow the medicine as a whole.
Storage
Side Effects of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dark or discoloured stools (this is normal and caused by the iron-based nature of the medicine)
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- Changes in taste
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Severe, persistent stomach pain or worsening constipation
- Black, tarry stools accompanied by severe stomach pain or vomiting blood
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Expect dark stools: Do not be alarmed if your stools appear very dark or black. This is a normal, harmless effect of the iron in the medicine binding with phosphate.
- Always chew completely: Never swallow the tablets whole, as they must be broken down by chewing to bind effectively to phosphorus in your stomach.
- Separate other oral medications: To prevent Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide from reducing the absorption of your other medicines, talk to your pharmacist about planning a safe dosing schedule.
- Watch for dental discoloration: If the medication leaves a temporary dark residue on your teeth or tongue, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth thoroughly after taking it.
- Check your tablet condition: Ensure the tablet is dry and intact before chewing. Do not use tablets that look damp, crumbled, or damaged.
Drug Interactions
- Levothyroxine (thyroid medicine): Taking Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide at the same time can reduce the absorption of your thyroid hormone. These medicines should be taken at least 4 hours apart.
- Doxycycline and Tetracycline (antibiotics): Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide can make these antibiotics less effective. Take them at least 1 hour before taking Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide.
- Alendronate (bone health medicine): Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide can reduce its absorption. Talk to your pharmacist about how to space these medications safely.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide because it may cause unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease seek advice from a healthcare professional. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your healthcare professional as there is no substantial research yet on the use of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide in breastfeeding/nursing mothers.
Driving
cautionIt is unknown whether Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide affects driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery if you have any symptoms that impair your ability to concentrate or react.
Liver
cautionConsult your doctor if you have liver problems. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
consult your doctorConsult your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Children
cautionThe safety and efficacy of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide in children below 2years have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a low-phosphorus diet: Work closely with a renal dietitian to limit high-phosphorus foods such as dairy products, nuts, seeds, colas, and processed foods with phosphorus additives.
- Read food labels carefully: Avoid foods that list 'phosphate' or 'phosphoric acid' in the ingredient list, as these chemical additives are highly absorbable.
- Never miss dialysis sessions: While Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide helps control phosphorus, regular dialysis is vital to help filter waste and fluid from your blood.
- Monitor your lab results: Attend all scheduled blood tests so your healthcare team can track your phosphorus, calcium, and parathyroid hormone levels.
Special Advise
To rule out the possibility of electrolyte imbalance, electrolyte levels should be monitored on a regular basis.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hyperphosphatemia: Hyperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder characterised by an elevated phosphate level in the blood. Healthy kidneys balance phosphorus levels in the body by removing excess phosphorus from the blood. If you have kidney disease, your kidneys may not be able to eliminate excess phosphorus. It has the potential to be extremely harmful to one's health. High phosphorus levels do not always cause symptoms. Extra phosphorus in the blood can eliminate calcium from the bones and other parts of the body, resulting in low calcium (hypocalcemia).
FAQs
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide belongs to the class of medications called mineral supplements, indicated for controlling serum phosphorus levels in adult chronic kidney disease patients on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide helps to lower phosphate levels in the blood and prevents complications caused by high phosphate levels in the blood, especially in dialysis patients who are unable to eliminate excess phosphate levels.
No, it is a prescribed medication primarily used to keep serum phosphorus levels under control in adult chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Taking it on your own can result in undesirable side effects.
No, you should not swallow Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide tablets whole. They must be chewed or crushed completely before swallowing to ensure they work properly in your digestive system. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble chewing.
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide contains iron, which is not fully absorbed by your body. The unabsorbed iron passes through your intestines and naturally darkens your stool. This is a normal, harmless side effect of the medicine. Talk to your doctor if you experience severe stomach pain alongside dark stools.
No, Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide must be taken with meals or snacks. It works by binding to the phosphorus in the food you eat, so taking it without food will make it much less effective. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your meal schedule.
No, you should not take thyroid medicines like levothyroxine at the same time as Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide. This medication can block the absorption of thyroid hormones. It is generally recommended to separate them by at least 4 hours. Talk to your doctor to set up a safe dosing schedule.
There is limited clinical information on the safety of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide during pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits against any potential risks before prescribing it. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
While diarrhoea is a more common side effect, some people may experience constipation or stomach discomfort when starting Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide. If you experience persistent or severe constipation, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Although Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide is an iron-based medicine, very little iron is absorbed into your body from it. Most of the iron remains in your digestive tract to bind phosphorus and is eliminated. However, your doctor will still monitor your iron levels regularly. Talk to your doctor for more details.
If you realize you forgot to take your dose during or immediately after a meal, skip that dose and take your next dose with your next scheduled meal. Do not take double doses to make up for a missed one. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you frequently miss doses.
