Sevelamer
Classification: AATC code: V03AE02
Summary
Analysis of clinically relevant differences in effect is lacking and does not motivate differentiation in dosing or treatment. Cardiovascular safety seems to be similar in men and women.
Additional information
The incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is lower among women than men [1]. Serum phosphorus levels in women with and without chronic kidney disease were demonstrated to be significantly higher than in men [2]. There are sex-related differences in phosphorus homeostasis theoretically impacting the needs of treatment differently in men and women [2]. For example, estrogen was shown to increase phosphorus excretion and estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women is associated with lower phosphorus levels [2].
Data from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study have demonstrated that use of phosphate binders is an independent predictor of improved survival among women on hemodialysis [3].
Pharmacokinetics and dosing
Oral administration of sevelamer did not lead to systemic absorption in any of 20 healthy subjects (5 women and 5 men 19-40 years, 5 men and 5 women >65 years) [4]. No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the dosing of sevelamer have been found.
Effects
No published studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the effects of sevelamer have been found.
Adverse effects
There was no difference in proportion of men and women with adverse experiences in analysis of data for the pooled safety population of 384 patients in controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials of sevelamer [4].A case-control study in patients on hemodialysis treated with sevelamer (in total 152 men and women, approximately 2/3 women) suggests higher rates of first hospitalization in men [5].Subgroup analysis of an observational cohort study (1184 men, 1455 women) of patients ≥65 years of age and requiring hemodialysis (in total 2639 men and women) report similar cardiovascular safety of sevelamer in men and women [6].
Reproductive health issues
There is no human data available on the effects of sevelamer on fertility in women and men. Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult Janusmed Drugs and Birth Defects (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Other information
Use of sevelamer in women with diabetes type II and diabetic kidney disease has been reported to lead to reduction of HbA1c. This effect was not observed in the overall population [7].
Higher levels of iPTH (intact parathyroid hormone) is seen in women [8]. Reduction in iPTH levels was a primary efficacy objective in the clinical studies reported in NDA review for sevelamer [4], however no differences in men and women were discussed.
Updated: 2019-07-16
Date of litterature search: 2019-05-23
References
- Svenskt njurregister årsrapport 2018. Svenskt njurregister [www]. [cited 2019-05-23]. länk
- Ho LT, Sprague SM. Women and CKD-mineral and bone disorder. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2013;20(5):423-6. PubMed
- Hecking M, Bieber BA, Ethier J, Kautzky-Willer A, Sunder-Plassmann G, Säemann MD et al. Sex-specific differences in hemodialysis prevalence and practices and the male-to-female mortality rate: the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). PLoS Med. 2014;11(10):e1001750. PubMed
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmaceutics Review - RENAGEL (sevelamer hydrochloride). US Food and Drug Administration [www]. [updated 2005-07-01, cited 2019-05-23]. länk
- Collins AJ, St Peter WL, Dalleska FW, Ebben JP, Ma JZ. Hospitalization risks between Renagel phosphate binder treated and non-Renagel treated patients. Clin Nephrol. 2000;54(4):334-41. PubMed
- Spoendlin J, Paik JM, Tsacogianis T, Kim SC, Schneeweiss S, Desai RJ. Cardiovascular Outcomes of Calcium-Free vs Calcium-Based Phosphate Binders in Patients 65 Years or Older With End-stage Renal Disease Requiring Hemodialysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2019;1(1):1. PubMed
- Yubero-Serrano EM, Woodward M, Poretsky L, Vlassara H, Striker GE, AGE-less Study Group. Effects of sevelamer carbonate on advanced glycation end products and antioxidant/pro-oxidant status in patients with diabetic kidney disease. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2015;10(5):759-66. PubMed
- Lorenzo V, Martin-Malo A, Perez-Garcia R, Torregrosa JV, Vega N, de Francisco AL et al. Prevalence, clinical correlates and therapy cost of mineral abnormalities among haemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional multicentre study. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2006;21(2):459-65. PubMed
- Läkemedelsstatistik. Stockholm: Socialstyrelsen. 2018 [cited 2019-05-28.] länk
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson