Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide as Part of Combination Phosphate Binder Therapy among Hemodialysis Patients

Sucroferric oxyhydroxide for hyperphosphatemia: a review of real-world evidence

Hyperphosphatemia is a common complication in dialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease. Most dialysis-dependent patients need oral phosphate binder therapy to control serum phosphorus concentrations. Most phosphate binders have a high daily pill burden, which may reduce treatment adherence and impair phosphorus control. Sucroferric oxyhydroxide is a potent iron-based phosphate binder approved for use in dialysis-dependent patients in 2013. A randomized controlled trial of sucroferric oxyhydroxide demonstrated its efficacy for reduction of serum phosphorus with a lower pill burden than sevelamer carbonate. Clinical trials carefully select patients, monitor adherence, and routinely titrate medications to a protocol-defined goal. Consequently, trials may not reflect real-world use of medications. Since its approval, we and others have performed retrospective and prospective analyses of sucroferric oxyhydroxide in real-world clinical practice in > 6400 hemodialysis and approximately 500 peritoneal dialysis patients in the USA and Europe. Consistent with the clinical trial data, real-world observational studies have demonstrated that sucroferric oxyhydroxide can effectively reduce serum phosphorus with a lower daily pill burden than most other phosphate binders. These studies have also shown sucroferric oxyhydroxide provides effective serum phosphorus control in different treatment settings, including as monotherapy in phosphate binder-naïve patients, in patients switching from other phosphate binders, or when used in combination with other phosphate binders. These observational studies indicate a favorable safety and tolerability profile, and minimal, if any, systemic iron absorption. This article reviews the key results from these observational studies of sucroferric oxyhydroxide and evaluates its role in the management of hyperphosphatemia in clinical practice.

A safety evaluation of sucroferric oxyhydroxide for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia

INTRODUCTION

Hyperphosphatemia is a common complication as chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses and most patients undergoing dialysis are prescribed oral phosphate binder therapy to control serum phosphate concentrations. Sucroferric oxyhydroxide is an iron-based phosphate binder approved for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients on dialysis.

AREAS COVERED

This article reviews key safety and effectiveness data for sucroferric oxyhydroxide from both prospective clinical trials and real-world observational studies.

EXPERT OPINION

Sucroferric oxyhydroxide potently binds dietary phosphate in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in effective reduction of serum phosphate concentrations with a relatively low daily pill burden. Data from clinical trials and real-world observational studies show sucroferric oxyhydroxide has a favorable safety and tolerability profile. The most frequent side effects observed with sucroferric oxyhydroxide are GI-related, mainly discolored (black) stools and mild or moderate transient diarrhea, both of which are manageable. There is minimal systemic iron absorption from sucroferric oxyhydroxide, and therefore the drug is associated with a low risk of iron accumulation. Sucroferric oxyhydroxide also displays low potential for drug-drug interactions with other commonly prescribed oral medications. Overall, sucroferric oxyhydroxide offers an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for the management of hyperphosphatemia.