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UKidney Nephrology News and Insights

Calcium-based phosphate binders likely harmful in CKD

Calcium-based phosphate binders likely harmful in CKD

Researchers from the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta add to existing data that calcium-based phosphate binders are harmful compared to binders that do not contain calcium. An updated systematic review on this topic that appears in the July 19th online version of the Lancet shows that patients with CKD across 8 studies (5 randomized) treated with non-calcium based binders had a 22% reduction in all-cause mortality compared to those taking calcium based binders.

The usual cautionary notes follow the authors report - namely that more research is needed - but clinicians should strongly reconsider the use of calcium-based binders in light of this and other evidence. Despite the high cost of non-calcium based binders such as lanthanum or sevelamer, it appears that calcium-based might soon become obsolete.

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