NICE updated UK guidelines for Lokelma allow patients to better manage their CKD-HK, says GlobalData
(MENAFN- Global Data) The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has updated its guidelines for AstraZeneca's Lokelma (sodium zirconium cyclosilicate) in chronic kidney disease (CKD)-related hyperkalemia (HK) which will allow CKD-HK patients to easily access Lokelma to manage chronic HK outside of hospital settings, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Kajal Jaddoo, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Key opinion leaders (KOLs) have highlighted the issue that CKD-HK is treated acutely in secondary care; and as a result, treatment can involve insulin infusions and high-dose calcium resonium for short-term use. At present, HK remains a more short-term problem, as when patients go into the hospital with acute HK symptoms, the underlying cause would be found, and the high potassium would be treated and potentially adjusted.”
There are currently two well-tolerated potassium binders available for CKD-HK, Vifor Pharma's Veltassa (patiromer) and Lokelma. Lokelma, launched in Europe in 2018, has had strong sales in the HK space because it has increased patient compliance due to its once-daily oral dosing and improved tolerability.
Jaddoo adds: “KOLs have stated Lokelma has a faster onset of action, which may cause physicians to prefer it over Veltassa in a niche portion of non-emergency patients with acute CKD-induced HK. Prescription of the branded and relatively more expensive non-calcium binders is being limited in some European markets. For instance, guidelines specify the continued first-line use of calcium-based binders on the basis of cost-benefit effectiveness
MENAFN03022022005643012412ID1103637605
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.