Exploring the Efficacy and Safety of Iron Replacement Therapies for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review for Health-System Pharmacists

This activity was originally presented at the 2022 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exposition.

Program Description

Due to the combination of reduced iron absorption and increased iron losses, iron deficiency is common among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with CKD have an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with rates of mortality due to CVD representing the leading cause of death in this patient population. Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are significant complications that may develop early in the course of the disease and progress with loss of renal function. To effectively manage ID and IDA in patients with CKD, pharmacists must understand its pathophysiology and available treatment options. Treatment selection is multifactorial and is often influenced by individual goals of therapy, tolerability, convenience, stage of CKD, and potential for CVD-related complications. Health-system pharmacists can aid in identifying patients who may be ideal candidates for intravenous (IV) iron therapy and evaluate IV iron replacement treatments in different patients who may be at higher risk for the development of anemia in CKD as well as optimize transitions of care in this population. This program will review strategies to help mitigate those risks to lower the burdens associated with both CKD and IDA on individual patients and on health care resource utilization.

Target audience: Health-system pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: December 22, 2022
Expiration date: December 22, 2023

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain proposed mechanisms that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and iron deficiency anemia in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Explore the clinical presentation, differences between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, and the diagnostic challenges often presented to clinicians
• Compare the available intravenous iron replacement formulations approved for use in patients with CKD including available efficacy and safety data
• Illustrate the roles of health-system pharmacists as clinician and patient educator in making clinical recommendations, in providing patient/caregiver education, and in monitoring patient response to iron replacement therapy

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-22-622-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through December 22, 2023.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Joseph Davis, PharmD, BCPS, has the following relevant financial relationship with commercial interest to disclose:

• Consultant: Lexicomp Renal Dosing

Katie Cardone, PharmD, BCACP, FNKF, FASN, FCCP, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

• Consultant: Otsuka, Vifor; Subinvestigator: Merck clinical trial

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff: Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Rose Buszka, PharmD, BCPS, CHCP; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Anonymous peer reviewers have been used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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