The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has updated its advice for AstraZeneca’s Lokelma (sodium zirconium cyclosilicate [SZC]) for adult patients with hyperkalaemia in Scotland.
Patients can now access SZC in the emergency care setting for the treatment of acute, life-threatening hyperkalaemia alongside standard care.
SZC is already used within NHS Scotland for hyperkalaemia as outpatient care for adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3b to 5 and/or heart failure.
Dr Iain Macintyre, Consultant Nephrologist and Clinical Pharmacologist, New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Lothian, said: “For adult patients in Scotland who develop high potassium levels, today’s announcement will be an extremely welcome milestone.
“Risk of developing hyperkalaemia is increased for patients taking life-saving cardio-renal medications and the decision today from the Scottish Medicines Consortium means that patients with this condition will now have access to an important treatment option in the emergency care setting when the condition is potentially life-threatening.”
Hyperkalaemia is a medical condition of elevated potassium levels in the blood. In severe cases, it may lead to cardiac arrest and death.
In July 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland issued a positive recommendation for SZC in the emergency care setting.
