Version July 2025
Note: Each 2,500 mg sucroferric oxyhydroxide tablet contains 500 mg of iron.
Hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease (dialysis-dependent), treatment:
Note: Use in combination with dietary phosphate restriction (Ref). The majority of iron from sucroferric oxyhydroxide is not systemically absorbed, although small increases in transferrin saturation and ferritin have been observed (Ref).
Oral: Initial: 1 tablet (500 mg iron) 3 times daily with meals.
Dosage adjustment: Increase or decrease dose by 1 tablet (500 mg iron) per day at ≥1-week intervals as needed to obtain targeted serum phosphorus concentrations; usual maintenance dose: 3 to 4 tablets (1,500 to 2,000 mg iron) per day; maximum dose: 6 tablets (3,000 mg iron) per day.
Missed dose: If a dose is missed, resume with next meal; do not replace a missed dose.
Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.
No dosage adjustment necessary.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling; however, not systemically absorbed or metabolized.
Refer to adult dosing.
(For additional information see "Sucroferric oxyhydroxide: Pediatric drug information")
Dosage guidance:
Dosage form information: Each sucroferric oxyhydroxide 2,500 mg tablet contains 500 mg of iron. International considerations: Dosage form(s) and strengths to achieve daily dose may vary.
Hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease, treatment: Note: Use evaluated in pediatric patients with either estimated GFR <30 mL/minute/1.73 m2 or on dialysis.
Initial dosing:
Children 6 to <9 years: Limited data available: Oral: Initial: 250 mg 3 times daily with meals (Ref).
Children ≥9 to <12 years: Oral: Initial: 500 mg twice daily with meals.
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Oral: Initial: 500 mg 3 times daily with meals.
Titration of dose: Monitor serum phosphorus levels (as often as weekly), adjust dose in 250 mg/day increments for ages <9 years and 500 mg/day increments for ages ≥9 years at ≥1-week intervals until an acceptable serum phosphorus level achieved; once serum phosphorus is stable, transition to regular monitoring (Ref).
Reported effective doses:
Children 6 to <9 years: Median: 1,000 mg/day in divided doses; maximum daily dose: 2,500 mg/day (Ref).
Children ≥9 to <12 years: Mean: 1,500 mg/day in divided doses; maximum daily dose: 3,000 mg/day.
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Mean: 1,500 to 2,000 mg/day in divided doses; maximum daily dose: 3,000 mg/day.
Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.
Children ≥9 years and Adolescents: Oral: No dosage adjustment necessary; sucroferric oxyhydroxide is indicated for use in chronic kidney disease.
Children ≥9 years and Adolescents: Oral: There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling; however, not systemically absorbed or metabolized.
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.
>10%: Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea (6% to 24%), darkening of stools (12% to 16%)
1% to 10%: Gastrointestinal: Nausea (10%)
<1%, postmarketing and/or case reports: Skin rash, dental discoloration
There are no contraindications listed in the US manufacturer's labeling.
Canadian labeling: Hypersensitivity to sucroferric oxyhydroxide or any component of the formulation; hemochromatosis or other iron accumulation disorders.
Disease-related concerns:
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Patients with significant gastrointestinal (GI) disorders or post major GI surgery were not included in clinical studies; monitor effect and iron homeostasis in these patients.
• Hemochromatosis: Use in patients with a history of hemochromatosis or other conditions associated with iron accumulation has not been studied; monitor effect and iron homeostasis in these patients.
• Hepatic disease: Use in patients with significant hepatic disorders has not been studied; monitor effect and iron homeostasis in these patients.
• Peritonitis: Use in patients with peritonitis during peritoneal dialysis has not been studied; monitor effect and iron homeostasis in these patients.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet Chewable, Oral:
Velphoro: Iron 500 mg (sucroferric oxyhydroxide 2.5 g) [berry flavor]
No
Chewable (Velphoro Oral)
500 mg (per each): $21.44
Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet Chewable, Oral:
Velphoro: Iron 500 mg (sucroferric oxyhydroxide 2.5 g) [contains corn starch]
Oral: Tablets must be chewed or crushed; do not swallow whole. Must administer with meals. The total daily dose should be divided among meals; if the daily dose cannot be divided equally among meals, administer the larger dose with largest meal of the day.
Oral: Chewable tablets: Chew or crush tablets to administer dose; do not swallow whole. Administer with meals with the total daily dose divided among meals; if unable to divide equally among meals, administer the larger dose with largest meal of the day.
Missed dose: If a dose is missed, resume with next meal; do not replace a missed dose.
Hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease (dialysis dependent), treatment: For control of serum phosphorus levels in adults and pediatric patients ≥9 years of age with chronic kidney disease receiving dialysis.
Sucroferric oxyhydroxide may be confused with iron sucrose (Venofer), sucrose.
None known.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Aspirin: Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide may decrease serum concentration of Aspirin. Management: Administer aspirin at least 1 hour before administration of sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Cephalexin: Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide may decrease serum concentration of Cephalexin. Management: Administer cephalexin at least 1 hour before administration of sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Levothyroxine: Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide may decrease serum concentration of Levothyroxine. Management: Administer oral/enteral levothyroxine at least 4 hours before administration of sucroferric oxyhydroxide. No interaction is anticipated with parenteral levothyroxine administration. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Roxadustat: Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide may decrease serum concentration of Roxadustat. Management: Administer roxadustat at least 1 hour after the administration of sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Tecovirimat: Phosphate Binders may increase serum concentration of Tecovirimat. Risk C: Monitor
Tetracyclines: Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide may decrease serum concentration of Tetracyclines. Management: Administer oral/enteral doxycycline at least 1 hour before sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Specific dose separation guidelines for other tetracyclines are not presently available. No interaction is anticipated with parenteral administration of tetracyclines. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Vadadustat: Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide may decrease serum concentration of Vadadustat. Management: Administer vadadustat at least 1 hour before oral sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Sucroferric oxyhydroxide is not systemically absorbed and not expected to result in fetal exposure.
Sucroferric oxyhydroxide is not systemically absorbed.
Infant exposure via breast milk is not expected.
One tablet contains ~1.4 g of carbohydrates.
Serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH): Frequency of measurement may be dependent upon the presence and magnitude of abnormalities, the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the use of treatments for chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) (KDIGO 2017):
CKD stage G3a to G3b: Serum calcium and phosphate: Every 6 to 12 months; PTH: Frequency based on baseline level and progression of CKD
CKD stage G4: Serum calcium and phosphate: Every 3 to 6 months; PTH: Every 6 to 12 months
CKD stage G5 and G5D: Serum calcium and phosphate: Every 1 to 3 months; PTH: Every 3 to 6 months
Note: Due to the complexity and interdependency of the laboratory parameters used for therapeutic decisions in chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) patients, serial assessments of phosphate, calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels should be considered together (KDIGO 2017).
Calcium (total): Normal range: Adults: 8.6 to 10.2 mg/dL (SI: 2.2 to 2.6 mmol/L) (IOM 2011). Avoid hypercalcemia for CKD stages G3a to G5D (KDIGO 2017)
Phosphorus: 3 to 4.5 mg/dL (SI: 1 to 1.5 mmol/L). Lower elevated phosphorus levels toward the normal range for CKD stages G3a to G5D (KDIGO 2017)
PTH:
CKD stage G3a to G5: Optimal PTH level is unknown; evaluate patients with progressively elevated intact PTH levels or if levels are consistently above the normal range (assay-dependent) (KDIGO 2017)
Dialysis patients: Maintain iPTH within 2 to 9 times the upper limit of normal for the assay used (KDIGO 2017)
Binds phosphate in the aqueous environment of the GI tract via ligand exchange between hydroxyl groups and/or water in sucroferric oxyhydroxide and dietary phosphate. Reduced dietary phosphate absorption results in reduced serum phosphorus levels and calcium-phosphorus product levels.
Absorption: Not systemically absorbed
Metabolism: Not metabolized
Excretion: Feces (as bound phosphate)
