Pricing
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Indication information is not available for this brand yet.
Pharmacology
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide is a phosphate binder. It's used to control serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. Once it's in the watery environment of the GI tract, it binds phosphate from the diet by ligand exchange, where the hydroxyl groups and/or water in Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide are swapped for the phosphate. The bound phosphate leaves the body with the feces. Because less dietary phosphate is absorbed, both the serum phosphorus level and the calcium-phosphorus product level come down.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Chew or crush Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide tablets. Don't swallow them whole. The usual starting dose is 3 tablets (1,500 mg) a day, taken as 1 tablet (500 mg) 3 times daily with meals. Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide must always be taken with meals.
Serum phosphorus levels need to be monitored. The dose is then adjusted up or down in steps of 500 mg (1 tablet) per day, as needed, until an acceptable serum phosphorus level is reached, and monitoring continues regularly after that. The dose can be adjusted as often as weekly. To get the best binding of phosphate from food, split the total daily dose across the meals.
The patient doesn't need to drink any more fluid than they usually do. If one or more doses of DephosrM are missed, the medicine should be restarted with the next meal. Don't try to make up a missed dose.
Pediatric use: The safety and efficacy of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide have not been established in pediatric patients.
Side Effects
In hemodialysis patients taking Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide chewable tablets, the most common side effects were discolored feces, seen in 12%, and diarrhea, seen in 6%.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide has not been studied in some groups of patients. These are people with peritonitis during peritoneal dialysis, significant gastric or hepatic disorders, or a history of hemochromatosis or other diseases with iron accumulation. It has also not been studied in people who have had major gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. Because of this, the effect of the medicine and the body's iron balance (iron homeostasis) should be monitored in these patients.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide is Pregnancy Category B. Studies in rats and rabbits used doses up to 16 and 4 times, respectively, the maximum recommended clinical dose for humans (compared on a body weight basis). They did not show any impaired fertility or harm to the fetus caused by Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide. But at a dose up to 16 times the maximum clinical dose, it was linked to an increase in post-implantation loss in pregnant rats.
Animal reproduction studies don't always predict how humans will respond, and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. As the body absorbs very little iron from Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide, it is unlikely that the medicine passes into breast milk.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
Clinical trials have not produced any data on overdose with Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Store Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide at a temperature not above 25° C. Keep it away from light and from wet places. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Dephos 500 mg
What is Dephos 500 mg Chewable Tablet?
Dephos 500 mg Chewable Tablet is a medicine that contains Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide. It is made by Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
What are the side effects of Dephos?
In hemodialysis patients taking Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide chewable tablets, the most common side effects were discolored feces, seen in 12%, and diarrhea, seen in 6%.
Can I take Dephos during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide is Pregnancy Category B. Studies in rats and rabbits used doses up to 16 and 4 times, respectively, the maximum recommended clinical dose for humans (compared on a body weight basis). Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Dephos?
Clinical trials have not produced any data on overdose with Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Dephos?
Store Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide at a temperature not above 25° C. Keep it away from light and from wet places.
Can I take other medicines with Dephos?
Some medicines can interact with Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide, for example: Nifedipine, Hydrochlorothiazide, Ciprofloxacin, Omeprazole, Doxycycline, Digoxin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Dephos is already among the lowest-priced brands of Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide at this strength.
Do I need a prescription for Dephos?
Dephos is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.