Lighten your day the Velphoro way

Take charge of phosphorus while on dialysis with fewer pills and more ways to take them

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What's phosphorus?

Many foods contain the mineral phosphorus. You need a certain amount to stay healthy. If you’re on dialysis, too much phosphorus can affect your overall health.

Your doctor will tell you your personal phosphorus goal, but a serum phosphorus level of 5.5 mg/dL or less—determined by a blood test—is a widely accepted benchmark.

mashed potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

INGREDIENTS: POTATOES, SUNFLOWER OIL, AND/OR CORN OIL, SALT, SODIUM DIACETATE, CHEESE CULTURES, ENZYMES, BUTTER, MILK POWDER, SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, WHEY, CITRIC ACID, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, OLIVE OIL.

Sometimes phosphorus is listed on food labels. Sometimes it’s not. “Phosphorus” and “phosphate” are basically two words for the same thing.

Controlling phosphorus starts with diet

Your renal dietitian will help you with a food plan that’s low in phosphorus. But you may need additional help. That’s why there’s Velphoro.

Your guide to Phosphorus

Find out more about phosphorus in foods by downloading this food label guide

Carry this guide with you when making food choices at the store.

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to learn more from renal dietitians.

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How Velphoro Works

Velphoro is a phosphate binder. Because it’s the strongest one, you can take fewer pills. Velphoro is like a magnet that pulls the phosphorus out of food as you eat it. That’s why you take it with food when you eat.

Velphoro helped more people get to and stay at goal with fewer pills

DOUBLE

THE PERCENTAGE

OF PATIENTS

REACHED GOAL

WITH

HALF

THE PILLS

Real-world data show that when people switched to Velphoro from another phosphate binder, double the percentage of people were able to control their phosphorus levels with half the pills.

Other real-world data from people who stayed on Velphoro for 2 years showed that 40% more of them stayed at their phosphorus goals compared with people who switched to another phosphate binder.

How to take Velphoro

Take Velphoro when you eat a meal or snack as prescribed by your doctor. You’ll probably start on Velphoro with 1 pill every time you eat a meal. Your doctor may adjust the dose after tracking your progress.

broken pill

BREAK

teeth chewing pill

CHEW

crushed pill

CRUSH

You choose how to take it

Velphoro is easy to break, chew, or crush. Take it just before, during, or just after a meal or snack.

Don’t swallow Velphoro whole. If you forget to take Velphoro, take your regular dose with your next meal.

You choose how to take it

Velphoro is easy to break, chew, or crush. Take it just before, during, or just after a meal or snack.

Don’t swallow Velphoro whole. If you forget to take Velphoro, take your regular dose with your next meal.

Make Velphoro a part of your plan to
M.O.V.E. FORWARD

An easy way to remember
to take your Velphoro

*Take Velphoro when you eat a meal or snack as prescribed by your doctor.

These tips can help too

Pill bottle icon

Keep Velphoro near where you eat†

Sticky note saying Velphoro

Put a note on your refrigerator

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Set an alarm on your phone to ring 3 times a day at mealtimes

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Mark your calendar to refill Velphoro a week before you run out

†Always keep the bottle or pill container of Velphoro tightly closed. Store at room temperature, and below 87° F.

What to expect from Velphoro: Possible side effects

Most patients reported no side effects with Velphoro, but some did. But there’s no substitute for being prepared, just in case.

Side effects of Velphoro are mostly mild and go away on their own after a short time.

Most common is diarrhea, which usually resolves by itself. Some people have reported discoloration of their teeth, or a rash. Because Velphoro is made from iron, it may turn your stools black. This is normal—and expected—just as it is with other medicines that contain iron.

Few people have stopped taking Velphoro because of side effects. Speak to your healthcare team if side effects become a concern.

man holding Velphoro balloon

Getting Velphoro

For many people on dialysis, Velphoro can be included as part of your dialysis care and sent directly to your home or clinic.

Your dialysis care team will help you get Velphoro if it’s right for you.

Frequently asked questions about Velphoro

Velphoro is a phosphate binder. Taking Velphoro as prescribed, with meals, can help keep your phosphorus level under control.

A closer look at Velphoro

Why Velphoro ?

Velphoro works like a magnet, locking up the phosphorus in the food you eat, so it doesn't get into your bloodstream and cause dangerous health conditions.

Velphoro is chewable. You can chew it, break it, or crush it; it's up to you. Just "break and take" with meals or snacks as prescribed by your doctor. Velphoro is not intended to be swallowed whole.

How to take Velphoro

How to take Velphoro

Take the number your doctor prescribed. You’ll probably start on Velphoro with 1 pill every time you eat a meal. Based on your progress, your doctor may adjust the dose.

Most side effects from Velphoro are mild, and usually resolve by themselves. People report diarrhea as the most common side effect, as well as nausea, stained teeth, and rash. Like other medicines containing iron, Velphoro may turn your stools dark. That's normal and expected.

What to expect with Velphoro

What to expect with Velphoro

Yes, Velphoro can be taken with most medicines. While Velphoro has few drug interactions, some medicines should not be taken at the same time as Velphoro, because it might change their effectiveness. Your healthcare team will advise you.

Velphoro works by locking up the phosphorus in the food you eat as you eat it. So if you miss a dose, just take your next dose with your next meal as usual.

How to take Velphoro

How to take Velphoro

For many people, Velphoro is included as part of your overall dialysis care through your dialysis organization. Your dialysis care team will work with you to get Velphoro.

More resources to help you with Velphoro

Want to learn more about living with chronic kidney disease and dialysis? Here’s a list of downloads and links to get you started.

Velphoro brochure thumbnail

LIGHTEN YOUR DAY BROCHURE

Get the brochure
info on controlling phosphorous levels thumbnail

CONTROLLING YOUR PHOSPHORUS LEVELS SHEET

Get the information
Your Guide to Phosphorus thumbnail

YOUR GUIDE TO PHOSPHORUS BROCHURE

Get the brochure
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Impact of High Phosphorus Sheet thumbnail

IMPACT OF HIGH PHOSPHORUS SHEET

Get the information
Español
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The American Association of Kidney Patients

Find out more about all aspects of living with dialysis by visiting this comprehensive, helpful, user-friendly site, especially made for people like you.

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National Kidney Foundation Patient Newsletter

For current news and the latest research, the National Kidney Foundation is the recognized authority on chronic kidney disease and dialysis. Stay up-to-date and get better educated about kidney disease.

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INDICATION

Velphoro® (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) is a phosphate binder indicated for the control of serum phosphorus levels in adult and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Velphoro chewable tablets must be taken with meals. Velphoro should be chewed or crushed. Do not swallow whole. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and other supplements. Velphoro can interact with other medicines.
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following: peritonitis (an infection) during peritoneal dialysis, significant gastric or liver disorder, recent major gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, a history of hemochromatosis or other disease that results in iron build-up in the body. People with these conditions were not included in clinical studies with Velphoro, and your healthcare provider will monitor your iron levels while you are taking Velphoro.
  • Velphoro can cause side effects. The most common side effects are discolored feces, diarrhea, and nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. 
  • Discolored (black) stool is considered normal if you are taking an oral medication that contains iron, like Velphoro. Discolored stool may mask gastrointestinal bleeding, which was not a side effect of Velphoro in clinical studies.
  • Before taking Velphoro, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Velphoro is available by prescription only. For additional Safety Information, please see full Prescribing Information.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Fresenius Medical Care Customer Service at 1-800-323-5188 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

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© 2021, 2025 Fresenius Medical Care. All Rights Reserved. Fresenius Medical Care and the triangle logo are trademarks for which Fresenius Medical Care AG holds rights. Velphoro is a trademark of Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.