Patiromer for Hyperkalemia User Reviews

• Rus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2020

"My potassium had hit the roof about 6 months ago. Each blood draw showed 6.1-6.3 levels of potassium in my blood. 1st doctor put me on Lokelma for 3 months, but the best I could do was a 5.8 level in my blood. I tried to explain to that doctor that I had been eating right, few foods with potassium, but it was futile. Went to 2nd doctor and explained the problem. Doctor put me on Veltassa immediately. After the first 24 packets, possibly a few more, blood draw showed a level of 4.2 level of potassium in blood. Incredible. Veltassa really works. However, while only annoying, my body varies from extreme constipation to diarrhea, and blood pressure has constantly soared 30 points higher after taking Veltassa (not a listed side effect). All in all, this med works for me."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2024

"I've been taking 16.8 g once daily for almost two years. The medication does what it's supposed to do, and that's the number one priority. However, about four months ago, it began giving me diarrhea. I'll skip all the ways I tried to stop this and cut to the chase. My fix is to take the drug in two equal dose amounts at least four hours apart. My nephrologist had no negative comments about this. Doing this has fixed the diarrhea problem. My only real complaint is this is a bead resin, not a powder, and it simply does not dissolve in water, like Lokelma, it's just suspended, and you have to swirl water a second and third time to get it all. But, unlike Lokelma, it doesn't cause me to retain fluid."

• BRW...
• March 1, 2020

"Used Veltassa 8.4 for 2 months at a cost of $845.00/month. My potassium level went from 5.0 to 5.6. For me, this product doesn't work at all. I spent $890.00. You would expect it to work. There were 5 people in our group trying to lower their potassium levels. None of the people in our group had their potassium levels lowered. Your company is selling an inferior product. The only thing that got lowered was our pocketbooks."

• FRE...
• May 22, 2018

"Long-term user of Kayexalate for progressive renal failure with recurring increased K+, waiting for renal transplant, with warnings of GI complications with chronic use by previous and current nephrologists! Evidence of hyperkalemia as high as 6.2 on labs drawn periodically, probably due to unknown high K+ dietary indiscretions. Have been using Veltassa 8.4 gm daily. Used minimal amount of ice water with equal amount of ice-cold apple juice, then added contents of package to the fluid in a cocktail shaker, shook vigorously, and swallowed two times after shaking. Occasionally added additional ice water to mix and swallow residual-no big deal! Occasional GI gas without being sure that it was from the Veltassa-worked well, stabilized K+, and now off daily dose, but take an occasional dose when concerned about dietary indiscretions."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2020

"Week 1, severe and extreme constipation and wasn't able to pass gas. First day of week 2 was a Friday. Couldn't stop using the bathroom until the following Friday. Started out solid all the way to clear liquid, even had to miss dialysis for three treatments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Had to make up at least one treatment, which was on the Saturday when it finally slowed down in the bathroom, and the amount of pain was excruciating for a week straight. It was a very bad idea for me and did nothing for my potassium, good or bad."

• Gay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2021

"Makes you a little gassy. Works really well! Stir liquid while slowly pouring powder into the liquid. This will help to avoid clumps! If upon getting clumps, keep squishing with the back of a spoon until dissolved. It has a fine grit but not bad. Swish liquid up the sides of the cup to get all the medicine. Then drink all gone! Medicine showed positive results that first week!"

• smi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2019

"Used Veltassa for 10 consecutive days and tested twice for potassium. No change was observed. While 5-day use of SDS marketed as Kionex brought the potassium to a normal range after consecutive 3-day use and another test after 2-day use with a day break in between."

• alb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2023

"Haven't been taking this for very long, but it's working great. One suggestion to people out there is that you should take a probiotic pill at least three times a week to avoid diarrhea, constipation, and gas. I haven't had any of that because I have taken probiotics for a long time."

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2024

"Veltassa 16.8gm has been very effective for me. I am stage 4 CKD but holding my own with a filtration rate of generally 17-20, verified by two doctors. Not the optimum situation, but at 78 years old, I'll take it; life is a bit of a drag considering how often I urinate, but like I said... I'll take it. Lokelma worked for me too, but it being sodium-based caused me to retain a LOT of fluid. The first two days of starting Veltassa, I shed 13 pounds of water weight which has not returned. My solution to Veltassa causing constipation is to drink 100+ ounces of liquid daily and mix the Veltassa with 25-30 grams of fiber supplement. I mix the fiber in 20 ounces of water in a wide-mouth jar, 40-ounce peanut butter jar to be exact, add the Veltassa, mix vigorously, and down it all in a single chug-a-lug. It's really not a problem for me to do that. My blood Potassium is consistently mid-range in the acceptable band, 4.6 IIRC, and my doctors are well pleased."

• JWW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2022

"I take lisinopril 10 mg 2x per day for high BP. Lisinopril raises my potassium levels, so I was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) 12.5 mg to get the potassium levels down. Unfortunately, it was running me to the bathroom so much I was having problems staying hydrated. So much one night I had to be taken to the ER for fluids. (Just for reference, my cardiologist says I'm not a candidate for a beta blocker due to low heart rate. He says he would have to put in a pacemaker first.) I've been taking Veltassa for 4 days now, and my potassium levels have already dropped from 5.7 mmol/L to 4.7 mmol/L. Thankfully, with no side effects. I'm just glad I have good insurance. $1k a month without insurance coverage would be a major issue."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2017

"Diarrhea to the point of total liquid, and you feel like your guts are falling out! Major passing of gas like I've never experienced before! You can have this stuff! Not staying on it anymore!"

• vin...
• January 23, 2021

"Awful stuff, severe constipation, even after taking a stool softener, refuse to continue taking."