24 May Lokelma Receives FDA Approval To Treat Elevated Potassium, Hyperkalemia

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Fishbane

Steven Fishbane, MD,
Chief, Division of Kidney Disease and Hypertension, Northwell Health
Vice President, Northwell Health for Network Dialysis Services, Northwell Health
Professor of Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Lead investigator of the ZS 005 study

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this announcement? Would you briefly explain what is meant by hyperkalemia?What are the dangers of an elevated potassium and how does LOKELMA differ from prior standard treatments?

 Response: Hyperkalemia is when the potassium in the blood rises to potentially harmful levels. High potassium is primarily harmful for the heart. As the potassium level rises the risk for abnormal electrical rhythms or disruption of the heart’s pumping occur. When severe, a high potassium level can cause death.

Lokelma has been demonstrated to be effective for lowering potassium levels with a great degree of consistency. It is well tolerated and has a fairly rapid onset of potassium lowering compared to other drugs for the purpose. 

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Hyperkalemia is a common problem that physicians treat. Aside from the complications that it can cause, it also often limits the ability of physicians to treat with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blockers, a class of drugs that can be very helpful for kidney or cardiac disease.

The availability of Lokelma will make treatment of hyperkalemia significantly easier compared to older treatments and will greatly benefit patients. 

Disclosures: I consult for Astra Zeneca and receive research support.

Citation:

Lokelma approved in the US for the treatment of adults with hyperkalaemia

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Last Updated on May 24, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD