Which medication is a phosphate binder commonly used in CKD?

Which medication is a phosphate binder commonly used in CKD?

• A. Glipizide.
• B. Calcium acetate.
• C. Potassium chloride.
• D. Epoetin alfa.

Answer: (B)

Phosphate binders are used in CKD to manage high phosphate levels by binding dietary phosphate in the gut so it isn’t absorbed, which lowers serum phosphate. Calcium acetate is a calcium-based binder that you take with meals; it binds phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract and helps reduce phosphate absorption, addressing hyperphosphatemia common in CKD. The other medications listed serve different roles: glipizide is used to treat diabetes, potassium chloride is a potassium supplement (and could worsen hyperkalemia in CKD), and epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production to treat CKD-related anemia. Calcium acetate can raise calcium levels, so calcium and phosphorus should be monitored, and non-calcium binders are options if hypercalcemia is a concern.