Hyperkalemia, a condition of elevated serum potassium, arises from disturbances to potassium homeostasis within the body. Among key populations, including patients with kidney disorders and/or HF, hyperkalemia persists and requires frequent treatment in order to mitigate associated morbidity and mortality risks. Until recently, physicians had limited tools to deal with chronic hyperkalemia and were forced to rely on dialysis (an intensive procedure inappropriate for many patients), loop diuretics, and SPS (Kayexalate; a potassium binder associated with significant side-effects). The emergence of patiromer (Veltassa) and the anticipated approval of zirconium cyclosilicate (ZS-9) have already started altering treatment dynamics within the market. This content explores how current treatment practices may be influenced by these new treatment tools and investigates the key factors that influence prescribing.
Questions Answered:
How will prescribing of hyperkalemia therapies change one year from now? What will drive these changes?
Among physicians prescribing a potassium binder—what serum potassium value is the binder initiated? How long is the patient on the binder? What pharmacologic therapy was the patient receiving prior to binder use?
What are the major drivers and obstacles of potassium binder use? What lessons can be applied to recently launched Veltassa and the emerging agent ZS-9?