Velphoro® 500 mg Chewable Tablets for High Phosphorus Control

What Velphoro Is and How It Works

Velphoro® (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) is an iron-based phosphate binder used to lower high serum phosphorus in adults with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. Each Velphoro 500 mg chewable tablet binds dietary phosphate in the gut so it is excreted in the stool. Lower phosphorus supports bone and cardiovascular health in dialysis care plans. Tablets are chewed and taken with meals to match phosphorus intake and maximize binding.

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Velphoro belongs to a class of non-calcium binders. It works by providing iron-oxyhydroxide surfaces that attract and bind phosphate across a wide pH range in the gastrointestinal tract. The bound phosphate cannot be absorbed and passes through the bowel. Systemic absorption of iron from Velphoro is minimal in clinical studies, and the effect is local to the gut. Care teams titrate the dose to reach target serum phosphorus alongside dialysis and diet plans.

Dosage and Usage

• Indication: Control of serum phosphorus in adult patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.
• Form and strength: 500 mg chewable tablets; do not swallow whole.
• Starting dose: 1,500 mg per day (one 500 mg tablet with each meal).
• Titration: Adjust by 500 mg per day at weekly intervals to reach target phosphorus.
• Typical dose range: 1,500–3,000 mg per day, divided with meals; maximum 3,000 mg per day in most patients.
• Administration: Chew or crush tablets completely; take with meals to bind dietary phosphate.
• Missed dose: Skip and resume with the next meal dose; do not double up.
• Drug interactions: Do not co-administer with levothyroxine. For other oral drugs with known chelation risk, separate dosing per prescriber guidance and monitor clinical response.
• Monitoring: Serum phosphorus is checked regularly; adjust the dose to avoid persistent hyperphosphatemia or hypophosphatemia.

• Store at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); brief excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) are acceptable.
• Keep tablets dry in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed.
• Do not freeze or expose to high humidity. Avoid bathroom storage.
• For travel, carry enough tablets in hand luggage and keep the label visible.
• No refrigeration is needed. Protect from moisture and direct heat during transit.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Velphoro can reduce pill burden compared with some binders because of higher phosphate-binding capacity per tablet. Chewable tablets may help patients who prefer not to swallow large pills. Clinical studies show significant phosphorus reductions within the first weeks, with sustained control when taken consistently with meals. Many patients report darker stools but otherwise manageable gastrointestinal effects in Velphoro reviews.

Ordering from YouDrugstore can provide 60–80% savings versus typical US retail prices, with transparent Velphoro cost information at checkout. Multi-month supplies and periodic bulk promotions can lower the per-month Velphoro 500 mg cost. You can set simple reorder reminders so refills arrive before your next dialysis cycle schedule.

For current deals, see our Velphoro coupon page.

Side Effects and Safety

• Very common: Diarrhea, stool discoloration (dark stools).
• Common: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, flatulence.
• Less common: Tooth discoloration (removable), dyspepsia, loose stools.
• Laboratory: Minimal changes expected in iron indices; monitor per standard dialysis protocols.
• Drug interactions: Reduced absorption of certain oral drugs; levothyroxine must not be taken with Velphoro.

Serious reactions are uncommon. Stop and seek medical care for signs of hypersensitivity, severe or persistent diarrhea, bowel obstruction, or very low phosphorus. Over-treatment can cause hypophosphatemia; dose adjustments may be needed. Use in pregnancy or breastfeeding has limited data; prescribers balance risks and benefits. Safety in pediatric patients has not been established.

Onset Time

Phosphate binding starts with the first dose. Many patients see meaningful serum phosphorus reductions within 1–2 weeks as meals are consistently covered. The full effect often stabilizes by 2–4 weeks once the dose is titrated. Continued adherence with meals and regular monitoring help maintain control through dialysis cycles. If targets are not reached, prescribers may increase by 500 mg per day at weekly intervals up to the typical maximum of 3,000 mg per day.

Compare With Alternatives

Sevelamer carbonate (e.g., non-iron, non-calcium binder) is widely used and avoids iron-related stool darkening. It often requires multiple large tablets per meal, which can increase pill burden. It does not raise calcium, which is helpful for patients at risk of hypercalcemia.

Ferric citrate (an iron-based binder) also lowers phosphorus and can increase iron stores, which may reduce the need for IV iron in some dialysis patients. It may cause gastrointestinal effects similar to other binders and can raise ferritin and TSAT; monitoring is important.

Calcium-based binders such as calcium acetate are effective and inexpensive but may raise serum calcium and contribute to vascular calcification risk in some patients. Prescribers often limit calcium exposure when hypercalcemia or adynamic bone disease is a concern.

Combination Therapy

• Velphoro with dietary phosphorus restriction as guided by a renal dietitian.
• Velphoro plus vitamin D analogs or calcimimetics for mineral bone disorder management.
• Occasional combination of two phosphate binders in difficult-to-control cases; dosing is adjusted to reduce gastrointestinal effects.
• When combining with agents prone to chelation, separate dosing or choose alternatives to avoid reduced absorption.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Velphoro is intended for adults with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis who need phosphorus control. It is not absorbed to a significant degree, and its action is in the gut. It may not be suitable for patients who cannot chew tablets, have known hypersensitivity to the product, have bowel obstruction, or require levothyroxine therapy that cannot be adjusted or separated.

Discuss history of gastrointestinal disorders, recent surgeries, and all oral medications with the care team. Dose adjustments are guided by serum phosphorus results and symptoms. Pediatric use is not established. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should review potential risks and benefits with their clinician.

Ways to reduce the Velphoro price and overall expense include choosing a multi-month supply when appropriate, watching for bulk promotions, and signing up for reorder reminders so shipping lines up with dialysis schedules. Pricing at Canadian levels can make this Velphoro medication more affordable compared with many US pharmacies. Prompt, express shipping helps keep refills predictable.

Authoritative Sources

Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) US product site and resources

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Velphoro product entry

FDA Prescribing Information: Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide)

Order Velphoro® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express handling.

This material is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow the guidance of your prescriber and dialysis team.