The Nature of the Drug: GranuFlo and NaturaLyte are agents used in kidney-dialysis machines to remove impurities from the blood of patients with malfunctioning kidneys. Both products contain bicarbonate. GranuFlo is a powder, NaturaLyte is a liquid, but they perform the same function, which is help clean the blood of patients suffering kidney problems that prevent blood from being cleaned naturally. Kidney-dialysis centers exist because without dialysis, the buildup of waste products can be fatal. The usual remedy for failing kidneys is a transplant, but while awaiting a transplant a patient needs dialysis.
GranuFlo and NaturaLyte were widely used in kidney-dialysis centers for many years. One company has been most closely associated with both products. Fresenius Medical Care, based in Massachusetts, is one of the largest hemodialysis-clinic operators in the United States, and is also the leading supplier of dialysis products in the country. It made regular use of GranuFlo and NaturaLyte in its own clinics, though many other clinics also used the products.
