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Xoanacyl 1 g film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

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The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is written for healthcare professionals. Patients will find plain advice in the patient information leaflet: how to take, side effects, other medicines, pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Medicine strength:
1 g
Contains active substance:

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Xoanacyl 1 g film-coated tablets

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Xoanacyl 1 g film-coated tablets

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each film-coated tablet contains 1 g of ferric citrate (as coordination complex, containing 210 mg of ferric iron).

Excipients with known effect

Each film-coated tablet contains 0.99 mg sunset yellow FCF (E110) and 0.70 mg allura red AC (E129).

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Film-coated tablet.

Peach-coloured, oval shaped, (19 mm long, 7.2 mm thick and 10 mm wide) embossed with “KX52” on one side.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Xoanacyl is indicated for the treatment of concomitant elevated serum phosphorous and iron deficiency in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Treatment should be initiated under the supervision of a physician experienced in the management of patients with renal disorders.

Starting dose

The recommended starting dose of Xoanacyl is:

  • Non-dialysis dependent CKD patients: 3 g a day
  • Dialysis dependent CKD patients not already receiving a phosphate binder: 3-6 g a day based on iron parameters and serum phosphorus levels
  • Dialysis dependent CKD patients already receiving a phosphate binder and switching to Xoanacyl: 6 g a day

Xoanacyl must be taken with or immediately after meals. The total daily dose should be equally divided across the meals of the day where possible, rounded to the nearest whole film-coated tablet; if total daily dose cannot be divided equally, the higher number of film-coated tablets should be taken with the largest meal of the day. The efficacy of Xoanacyl has not been studied in clinical trials in dialysis dependent patients without permitting concomitant treatment with intravenous iron and/or erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) as needed.

Other oral iron therapy and phosphate binding therapy should be discontinued on initiation of Xoanacyl. A reduction or discontinuation of intravenous iron may also be required (see section 4.4).

Patients receiving this medicinal product should adhere to their prescribed low phosphate diets.

Dose titration

Iron parameters (e.g. haemoglobin, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT)) and serum phosphorus concentrations should be monitored within 2 to 4 weeks of starting or changing the dose of Xoanacyl, and approximately every 2-3 months when stable. The dose can be increased or decreased by 1 to 2 film-coated tablets per day at 2- to 4-week intervals as needed to maintain iron parameters and serum phosphorus at recommended target levels up to a maximum of 12 film-coated tablets per day. Consideration should be given to the dual effect of the product to avoid overtreatment (see section 4.4).

There are limited data available for doses higher than 9 film-coated tablets per day in CKD patients not on dialysis; therefore, in non-dialysis dependent CKD patients doses higher than 9 film-coated tablets per day should not be used unless with intensified monitoring.

Treatment should be temporary discontinued if hypophosphatemia develops or if serum ferritin exceeds 700 ng/mL and/or TSAT exceeds 40%. Once resolved, treatment could be resumed at a lower dose level (see section 4.4). If an intake is missed during the day, patients should be instructed not to take the forgotten dose at the next meal.

Special populations

Elderly population

No dose adjustment is necessary in elderly (see section 5.1).

Hepatic impairment

Patients with hepatic impairment should initiate treatment with the lower starting dose, 3 film-coated tablets per day.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Xoanacyl in children and adolescents below 18 years have not yet been established. No data are available.

Method of administration

For oral use.

The film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole; film-coated tablets must not be chewed or crushed because it may cause discoloration of mouth and teeth.

4.3 Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1;
  • Active severe gastrointestinal disorders;
  • Haemochromatosis and any other iron accumulation disorders.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Monitoring iron parameters

All patients receiving this medicinal product require at least quarterly monitoring of serum iron storage parameters (serum ferritin and TSAT) to ensure sufficient effect and to avoid iron overload which may have negative health consequences, such as decreased bone mineral density.

Xoanacyl should be temporarily discontinued if serum ferritin is above 700 ng/mL and/or TSAT is above 40%. In this situation, the strategy for iron supplementation (including, if applicable, concomitant intravenous iron) should be revised.

Concomitant treatment with intravenous iron and ESA may be needed, especially in dialysis dependent patients. Doses should be carefully selected to achieve appropriate levels of haemoglobin taking into account the targets recommended for such products. The need for intravenous iron and ESA may vary over time. Serum ferritin and TSAT levels increase after intravenous iron administration; hence, blood samples for measurement of iron storage parameters should be obtained at a time appropriate to reflect the patient’s iron status after intravenous iron dosing taking into account the product used, the amount of iron given and the frequency of dosing, but a minimum of 7 days after intravenous iron dosing.

Patients treated with Xoanacyl should not receive concomitant treatment with other oral iron preparations.

Monitoring serum phosphorous levels

All patients receiving this medicinal product require at least quarterly monitoring of serum phosphorous. Xoanacyl should be temporary discontinued if hypophosphataemia develops (see section 4.8).

Patients treated with Xoanacyl should not receive concomitant treatment with other phosphate binders.

Inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal bleeding

Xoanacyl is contraindicated in patients with active severe gastrointestinal disorders (see section 4.3).

Patients with active, symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease and recent symptomatic gastrointestinal bleeding were excluded from clinical studies. Xoanacyl should only be used in these patients following careful assessment of benefit/risk and monitoring of gastrointestinal symptoms following initiation of treatment should occur with discontinuation in case of exacerbation.

Gastrointestinal disturbances

Gastrointestinal adverse reactions have been reported including severe cases of diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea and their occurrence should be monitored (see section 4.8).

Xoanacyl must be discontinued in patients with active severe gastrointestinal disorders (see section 4.3).

Excipients with known effect

Each film-coated tablet contains 0.99 mg sunset yellow FCF (E110) and 0.70 mg Allura Red AC (E129) which may cause allergic reaction.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Concomitant use not recommended

Since citrate is known to increase aluminium absorption, aluminium-based compounds (e.g. antacids containing aluminium hydroxide) should be avoided while patients receive Xoanacyl.

Medicinal products with special recommendations for concomitant use with Xoanacyl

Medicinal products that may act on iron absorption in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract The following medicinal products have the potential to interact with Xoanacyl and should not be taken at the same time, but at least 2 hours before or after Xoanacyl:

  • Calcium supplements;
  • Calcium based and magnesium based antacids (e.g. containing oxides, hydroxides or salts of magnesium and calcium);

Medicinal products that may interact with Xoanacyl

The following medicinal products have the potential to interact with Xoanacyl and should not be taken at the same time, but at least 2 hours before or after Xoanacyl:

  • Levothyroxine (thyroxine). Since iron-based preparations are known to reduce the absorption of levothyroxine a reduction in levothyroxine availability could occur. Thyroid function should be monitored, in particular after initiation and dose adjustments of Xoanacyl. Levothyroxine dose may need to be adjusted during treatment with Xoanacyl.
  • Certain antiparkinsonian treatments (levodopa, benserazide, entacapone);
  • Captopril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with sulfhydryl group);
  • Iron chelating agents (e.g. penicillamine);
  • Biphosphonates (e.g. alendronate sodium);
  • Methyldopa (alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonist);
  • Certain antibiotics: tetracyclines (e.g. doxycycline), cefdinir, fluoroquinolones

    (e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin). In drug-drug interaction studies in healthy male and female subjects, Xoanacyl decreased the bioavailability of concomitantly administered ciprofloxacin (as measured by the area under the curve [AUC]) by approximately 45%. However, there was no interaction when Xoanacyl and ciprofloxacin were taken 2 hours apart.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no or limited amount of data from the use of ferric citrate coordination complex in pregnant women. Animal studies are insufficient with respect to reproductive toxicity. Xoanacyl is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception.

Breast-feeding

It is unknown whether ferric citrate coordination complex/metabolites are excreted in human milk. A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue

breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from Xoanacyl therapy taking into account the benefit of breast feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

Fertility

No data are available on the potential influence of Xoanacyl on fertility.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Xoanacyl has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most commonly reported adverse reactions in CKD patients treated with Xoanacyl were diarrhoea and faeces discoloured which occurred in 20.2% and 19.5% of patients, respectively.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Adverse reactions reported based on clinical studies in CKD patients (N=858) are presented in Table 1. The adverse reactions are listed by SOC (system organ class) and by frequency, most frequent adverse reaction first. Frequencies of adverse reactions are defined using the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1 000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10 000 to < 1/1 000); very rare (< 1/10 000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 1: Adverse reactions observed during clinical studies in which Xoanacyl was administered to CKD patients.

MedDRA System

Organ Class

Very commonCommonUncommonNot known
Metabolism and nutrition disordersHypophosphataemiaIron overload

Gastrointestinal

disorders

Diarrhoea, discoloured faeces

Abdominal pain /discomfort/ distension, nausea,

constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence

Haematochezia, haemorrhoids

Description of selected adverse reactions

Gastrointestinal tract disturbances

The most common adverse events occurred in the System Organ Class Gastrointestinal disorders (42.1%), including severe cases (2.7%) and cases that led to drug discontinuation (5.9%). Severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions included diarrhoea (1.3%), abdominal pain (0.6%) and nausea (0.1%). Gastrointestinal adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation were most frequently reported due to diarrhoea (3.4%).

Iron overload

Increases in ferritin and TSAT above safety thresholds have been observed with Xoanacyl use (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

4.9 Overdose

Iron overdose is dangerous and requires immediate attention. The symptoms of acute iron overdose include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, irritability, and drowsiness. If someone is known or suspected to have accidentally or intentionally ingested an overdose of Xoanacyl, immediate medical attention should be sought. Supportive and symptomatic measures reflecting best standard medical care should be implemented and the use of an iron chelator such desferrioxamine should be considered.

Xoanacyl overdose can also induce hypophosphataemia that could lead to nausea and headache and should be treated by standard clinical practice.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: All other therapeutic products; drugs for treatment of hyperkalaemia and hyperphosphataemia, ATC code: V03AE08

Mechanism of action

This medicinal product contains ferric citrate coordination complex as the active substance, specifically designed to have a high surface area and a defined molar ratio of ferric iron to citrate. The high surface area of ferric citrate coordination complex impacts ferric iron solubility at physiological pH and allows part of ferric iron to be absorbed and supply iron to the metabolic pathway.

Ferric citrate coordination complex has a dual mechanism of action, one that is associated with providing a source of ferric iron and one associated with decreasing the absorption of phosphorous. The dual mechanism of action result in a direct impact on reducing functionally active intact fibroblast growth factor 23 (iFGF-23). Following oral administration, soluble ferric iron is reduced from the ferric to the ferrous form by ferric reductase in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. After transport through the enterocytes into the blood, oxidized ferric iron circulates bound to the plasma protein transferrin, and can be incorporated into haemoglobin. The non-absorbed part of the complex reacts with dietary phosphate in the GI tract and precipitates phosphate as ferric citrate phosphate complex. This compound is insoluble and is excreted in the stool, reducing the amount of phosphate that is absorbed from the GI tract. By binding phosphate in the GI tract and decreasing absorption, ferric citrate coordination complex lowers the levels of serum phosphorus. Following absorption, citrate is converted into bicarbonate by the tissues.

Clinical efficacy

Three pivotal clinical studies have been conducted to support the efficacy of ferric citrate coordination complex in the treatment of concomitant iron deficiency and elevated serum phosphorous in adult chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Two studies were in non-dialysis dependent (NDD) CKD patients and one study was in dialysis dependent (DD) CKD patients.

Study 1 (KRX-0502-204)

A total of 149 NDD CKD subjects with iron deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin > 9.0 and < 12.0 g/dL [> 5.6 and < 7.5 mmol/L], serum ferritin ≤ 300 ng/mL, transferrin saturation [TSAT] ≤ 30%, serum ferritin ≤ 300 ng/mL) and elevated serum phosphorous (≥ 4 and < 6 mg/dL [≥ 1.3 and < 1.9 mmol/L]) were randomised to receive either ferric citrate coordination complex (N=75) or placebo (N=74). The starting dose was 3 film-coated tablets/day which was titrated based on serum phosphorous levels; the maximum dose was 12 film-coated tablets/day. The co-primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to Week 12 in TSAT and change from baseline to Week 12 in serum phosphorous. Key secondary efficacy endpoints included change from baseline to Week 12 in serum ferritin, haemoglobin and intact fibroblast growth factor-23 (iFGF-23).

At enrolment into the study 20.3%, 52.7% and 25.7% of subjects had Stage 3, 4 and 5 CKD, respectively. The mean age of subjects was 65.1 years (range 21 to 88 years; 56.1% ≥ 65 years) with the majority being Caucasian (77.7%) and female (64.9%). The mean daily dose of ferric citrate coordination complex was 5.1 film-coated tablets/day.

Primary and secondary endpoints relating to iron and phosphorous homeostasis are summarised in table 2.

Table 2: Study 1 - Summary of results from primary and key secondary endpoints

Parameter

Placebo

(N=69)

Ferric citrate coordination complex (N=72)
Serum TSAT, %

Baseline

Mean (SD)

Week 12, change from baseline

LS mean (SE)

Difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference p-value

21.0 (8.26)

-1.1 (1.20)

-

-

21.6 (7.44)

10.2 (1.18)

11.3 (1.70)

8.0, 14.7

< 0.001a

Serum phosphorous, mg/dL [a]

Baseline,

Mean (SD)

Week 12, change from baseline

LS mean (SE)

Difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference

p-value

4.7 (0.60)

-0.2 (0.07)

-

-

4.5 (0.61)

-0.7 (0.07)

-0.5 (0.10)

-0.7, -0.3

< 0.001a

Serum ferritin,

ng/mL

Baseline

Mean (SD)

Week 12, change from baseline

LS mean (SE)

Difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference

p-value

110.0 (80.88)

-4.2 (7.67)

-

-

115.8 (83.11)

73.3 (7.51)

77.5 (10.83)

56.2, 98.7

< 0.001a

Baseline

Mean (SD) 10.6 (1.07) 10.5 (0.81)

Week 12, change from

baseline

LS mean (SE) -0.2 (0.10) 0.4 (0.10)

Haemoglobin,

g/dL [b]

Difference to placebo - 0.6 (0.14) (SE)

95% CI of difference to

placebo 0.4, 0.9 p-value - < 0.001a

iFGF-23, pg/mL

Baseline

Mean (SD)

Week 12, change from baseline

LS mean (SE)

Difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference

p-value

263.2 (226.30)

17.4 (37.10)

-

-

319.0 (577.48)

-108 (36.21)

-125 (52.42)

-220, -21.7

0.017 [c]

A sequential hierarchal testing strategy was used for the primary and secondary efficacy endpoints.

CI=confidence interval; iFGF-23=intact fibroblast growth factor-23; SD=standard deviation; SE=standard error; TSAT=transferrin saturation.

[a] values can be estimated to mmol/L using conversion factor of 0.3229; [b] values can be estimated to mmol/L using conversion factor of 0.6206; [c] ANCOVA model with treatment as a fixed effect and baseline value as the covariate.

Study 2 (KRX-0502-306)

Subjects with NDD CKD and iron deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin ≥ 9.0 and ≤ 11.5 g/dL [≥ 5.6 and ≤ 7.1 mmol/L], serum ferritin ≤ 200 ng/mL and TSAT ≤ 25%) with serum phosphorous ≥ 3.5 mg/dL [≥ 1.1 mmol/L] were enrolled. A total of 234 subjects were randomised to receive either ferric citrate coordination complex (N=117) or placebo (N=117) for 16 weeks with a starting dose of 3 film-coated tablets/day which was subsequently titrated based on haemoglobin levels with a maximum dose of 12 film-coated tablets/day. At Week 16, subjects could enter an 8-week extension phase where all subjects received ferric citrate coordination complex at 3 film-coated tablets/day which could be titrated based on clinical response. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of haemoglobin responders, defined as a subject with an increase of ≥ 1.0 g/dL [0.62 mmol/L] at any point during the 16-week placebo-controlled phase. Secondary efficacy endpoints included both iron and phosphorous parameters: change from baseline to Week 16 in haemoglobin, TSAT, serum ferritin, percentage of subjects with sustained haemoglobin response (mean change ≥ 0.75 g/dL [0.47 mmol/L] over any 4-week time period during the 16-week placebo-controlled phase, provided ≥ 1.0 g/dL [0.62 mmol/L] was also attained during this period) and change from baseline to Week 16 in serum phosphorous. At enrolment into the study 48.1%, 42.1% and 9.9% of subjects had Stage 3, 4 and 5 CKD, respectively. The mean age of subjects was 65.4 years (range 26 to 93 years; 58.8% ≥ 65 years) with the majority being Caucasian (68.7%) and female (63.1%). The mean daily dose of ferric citrate coordination complex was 5.0 film-coated tablets/day.

The primary and secondary endpoints are summarised in the following table.

Table 3: Summary of results from primary and secondary endpoints in Study 2

ParameterPlaceboFerric citrate coordination
(N=115)complex (N=117)
Haemoglobin responders, %

During randomised period

% of subjects

Difference to placebo (95% CI)

p-value

19.1

-

-

52.1

33.0 (21.4, 44.6)

< 0.001 [c]

Sustained haemoglobin responders, %

During randomised period % of subjects

Difference to placebo (95% CI)

p-value

14.8

-

-

48.7

33.9 (22.8, 45.1)

< 0.001 [c]

Haemoglobin, g/dL [a]

Baseline

Mean (SD)

Week 16, change from baseline

LS mean (SE)

Difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference p-value

10.38 (0.78)

-0.08 (0.10)

-

-

10.44 (0.73)

0.75 (0.09)

0.84 (0.13)

0.58, 1.10

< 0.001 [d]

TSAT, %

Baseline

Mean (SD)

Week 16, change from baseline

LS mean (SE)

Difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference p-value

19.6 (6.63)

-0.6 (1.37)

-

-

20.2 (6.43)

17.8 (1.37)

18.4 (1.94)

14.6, 22.2

< 0.001 [d]

Serum ferritin, ng/mL

Baseline

Mean (SD)

Week 16, change from baseline

LS mean (SE)

Difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference

p-value

81.7 (58.26)

-7.7 (9.23)

-

-

85.9 (55.74)

162.6 (9.00)

170.3 (12.89)

144.9, 195.7

< 0.001 [d]

A sequential hierarchal testing strategy was used for the primary and secondary efficacy endpoints.

CI=confidence interval; SD=standard deviation; SE=standard error; TSAT=transferrin saturation.

[a] values can be estimated to mmol/L using conversion factor of 0.6206; [b] values can be estimated to mmol/L using conversion factor 0.3229 [c] 2-sided chi-squared test; [d] mixed model repeated measures method with the terms of treatment, baseline value, week post-baseline, and treatment by week post-baseline interactions.

Study 3 (KRX-0502-304)

This study was an open-label active controlled study for 52 weeks followed by a 4-week placebo-controlled phase. Subjects with DD CKD (haemodialysis 3 times a week or peritoneal dialysis) with elevated phosphorous levels (serum phosphorous ≥ 6.0 mg/dL [≥ 1.9 mmol/L] after washout of existing phosphate binder), ferritin < 1000 ng/mL and TSAT < 50% were enrolled. Subjects were randomised (N=441) to receive either ferric citrate coordination complex (N=292) or an active control (N=149) in a 2:1 ratio. The active control group received calcium acetate, sevelamer carbonate, or a combination of these, which was administered based on the last dose administered prior to the start of the washout, or if not remaining on the same phosphate binder, per the prescribing information at the discretion of the investigator. Subjects could continue to receive intravenous iron and erythropoietin stimulating agents as clinically required. At baseline, there were 61% (265/438) and 82% (359/438) of the study population receiving intravenous iron and erythropoietin stimulating agents, respectively. The ferric citrate coordination complex group was administered 6 film-coated tablets/day and the dose titrated based on the serum phosphorous levels, with a maximum dose of 12 film-coated tablets/day. At the end of the 52-week active controlled phase, subjects who had received ferric citrate coordination complex were randomised to either continue to receive ferric citrate coordination complex or receive placebo for a further 4 weeks.

The mean subject age of the DD CKD subjects in the study was 54.4 years (range 19 to 90 years; 20.5% ≥ 65 years). The majority of subjects were African American/black (53.0%) and male (61.2%). During the 52-week active-controlled period, the mean daily dose of ferric citrate coordination complex was 8.8 film-coated tablets/day.

The primary efficacy endpoint evaluated the change from baseline to Week 12 in serum phosphorus for the ferric citrate coordination complex group compared to subjects who received sevelamer carbonate as a sole agent in the active control arm (N=78). The LS mean (95% CI) was -2.03 mg/dL (-2.21, -1.86) in the ferric citrate coordination complex group compared to -2.17 mg/dL (-2.51, -1.84) in the sevelamer carbonate group; with a LS mean for treatment difference of 0.14 mg/dL (95% CI for

Baseline

Mean (SD) 4.12 (0.68) 4.23 (0.91)

Week 16, change from

baseline

LS mean (SE) -0.22 (0.07) -0.43 (0.06)

Difference to placebo

(SE) - -0.21 (0.09)

95% CI for difference -0.39, -0.03 Serum phosphorous,

mg/dL [b]

p-value - 0.020 [d] difference: -0.24, 0.52). This is approximately equivalent to mean decreases of -0.66 and -0.70 mmol/L in the ferric citrate coordination complex and sevelamer groups, respectively (difference of 0.04 mmol/L).

Secondary efficacy endpoints evaluated the treatment effect of ferric citrate coordination complex relative to the active control arm (all treatments) and were the change from baseline to Week 52 in serum ferritin, TSAT and the cumulative use to Week 52 of intravenous iron and ESA (median daily dose).

In the 4-week placebo-controlled phase, there was an increase in serum phosphorous in the group that was switched to placebo (LS mean [95% CI] from the Week 52 baseline to Week 56 of 1.86 mg/dL [1.57, 2.15]) and a continued decrease in the group that remained on ferric citrate coordination complex (-0.32 mg/dL [-0.61, -0.03]). The LS mean treatment difference was -2.18 (95% CI for difference: -2.59, -1.77), which was significant (p < 0.0001).

Results from the secondary endpoints are summarised in the table below.

Table 4: Summary of results from secondary endpoints in Study 3

Parameter

Active control

(N=146) [a]

Ferric citrate coordination complex (N=281)
Serum ferritin, ng/mL

Baseline

Mean (SD) Week 52, change from baseline

LS mean (SE) LS difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference

p-value

609.50 (307.69)

26.13 (34.28)

-

-

-

592.80 (292.86)

300.04 (25.22)

273.92 (42.57)

190.22, 357.61

< 0.0001 [b]

Serum TSAT, %

Baseline

Mean (SD) Week 52, change from baseline

LS mean (SE) LS difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference

p-value

30.8 (11.57)

-1.25 (1.27)

-

-

-

31.3 (11.21)

8.07 (0.94)

9.33 (1.58)

6.22, 12.44

< 0.0001 [b]

Intravenous iron administration,

mg/day

Median daily intake over 52 weeks p-value

3.83

-

1.87

< 0.0001 [c]

Intravenous ESA administration,

units/day

Median daily intake over 52 weeks p-value

993.46

-

755.80

0.0473 [c]

A sequential hierarchal testing strategy was used for the primary and secondary efficacy endpoints.

CI=confidence interval; SD=standard deviation; SE=standard error; TSAT=transferrin saturation; ESA=erythropoietin stimulating agent [a] includes calcium acetate, sevelamer carbonate, or a combination of these; [b] ANCOVA model with treatment as the fixed effect and study baseline as the covariate; [c] 2-sided Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test.

In a post-hoc analysis, there was a decrease in serum haemoglobin over 52 weeks in both treatment arms (see table below), which was less in the ferric citrate coordination complex arm.

Table 5: Summary of haemoglobin results in Study 3

Parameter

Active control

(N=146) [a]

Ferric citrate coordination complex (N=281)

Serum haemoglobin,

g/dL [b]

Baseline

Mean (SD) Week 52, change from baseline

LS mean (SE) LS difference to placebo (SE)

95% CI for difference

p-value

11.71 (1.26)

-0.52 (0.11)

-

-

-

11.61 (1.24)

-0.22 (0.08)

0.30 (0.14).

0.02, 0.57

0.034 [c]

CI=confidence interval; SD=standard deviation; SE=standard error [a] includes calcium acetate, sevelamer carbonate, or a combination of these; [b] values can be estimated to mmol/L using conversion factor of 0.6206; [c] ANCOVA model with treatment as fixed effect and study baseline value as the covariate

Paediatric population

The Licensing Authority has deferred the obligation to submit the results of studies with ferric citrate coordination complex in one or more subsets of the paediatric population in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) with elevated serum phosphorus levels (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Formal pharmacokinetic studies have not been performed.

Following oral administration, soluble ferric iron is reduced from the ferric to the ferrous form by ferric reductase in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. After transport through the enterocytes into the blood, oxidised ferric iron circulates bound to the plasma protein transferrin. It is distributed mainly to the liver, spleen, bone narrow and utilised by incorporation into red blood cells.

Unabsorbed iron from ferric citrate coordination complex interacts with phosphate in the GI tract to form a ferric citrate phosphate complex, an insoluble complex excreted in stool.

Following absorption, citrate is converted into bicarbonate by the tissues.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

The target organ for primary toxicity of ferric citrate coordination complex in repeat-dose oral toxicity studies in rats and dogs is the gastrointestinal tract. Brown pigmentation reflecting iron overload and leading to liver injury was observed in ferric citrate-treated dogs, the most sensitive species, in a 42-week study. The safety margin at the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for the proposed maximal human therapeutic dose of 200 mg/kg (12 g/day) corresponds to 1.1 based on a body surface area.

Ferric citrate coordination complex was neither mutagenic in the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test) nor clastogenic in the chromosomal aberration test in Chinese hamster fibroblasts.

Data from carcinogenicity studies have shown that iron compounds and citric acid are not carcinogenic in mice and rats when administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

The potential for ferric citrate coordination complex to impair reproductive performance or to cause foetal malformation has not been evaluated.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Tablet core

Pregelatinised starch

Calcium stearate

Film-coating

Hypromellose

Titanium dioxide (E171)

Triacetin

Sunset yellow FCF (E110)

Allura red AC (E129)

Indigo carmine (E132)

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

2 years

Shelf-life after first opening of the bottle: 2 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 30 °C.

Keep the bottle tightly closed in order to protect from moisture.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

High density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles sealed with child-resistant polypropylene screw caps, an aluminium foil heat-sealed with a polyethylene liner and two silica gel sachets.

Each bottle contains 200 film-coated tablets and is packed into a carton box.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

AVEROA SAS

11 Avenue Paul Verlaine

38100 Grenoble

France

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 59248/0002

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

30/10/2025

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

30/10/2025

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 59248/0002

Last revision stated in the text: 30 October 2025 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

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The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Xoanacyl 1 g film-coated tablets

Active substance Ferric citrate coordination complex
Strength 1 g
Pharmaceutical form Peach-coloured, oval shaped, (19 mm long, 7.2 mm thick and 10 mm wide) embossed with “KX52” on one side.
Excipients Pregelatinised starch, Calcium stearate, Hypromellose, Titanium dioxide (E171), Triacetin, Sunset yellow FCF (E110), Allura red AC (E129), Indigo carmine (E132)
Shelf life 2 years
Shelf-life after first opening of the bottle: 2 months.
Storage Do not store above 30 °C.
Keep the bottle tightly closed in order to protect from moisture.
Drug group (ATC) All other therapeutic products; drugs for treatment of hyperkalaemia and hyperphosphataemia
  1. V Various drug classes
    1. V03 All other therapeutic products
      1. V03A All other therapeutic products
        1. V03AE Drugs for treatment of hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia
          1. V03AE08 ferric citrate
Marketing authorisation PL 59248/0002 (first authorised 30 October 2025)
Marketing authorisation holder AVEROA SAS

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.