Brand Renagel

Sevelamer is used to prevent and treat high blood phosphate levels in patients who are on dialysis due to severe kidney disease. Dialysis removes some phosphate from your blood, but it is difficult to remove enough to keep your phosphate levels balanced. Decreasing blood phosphate levels can help keep your bones strong, prevent unsafe buildup of minerals in your body, and possibly decrease the risk of heart disease and strokes that can result from high phosphate levels. Sevelamer works by holding onto phosphate from the diet so that it can pass out of your body.

Take this medication by mouth, usually 3 times daily with meals or as directed by your doctor. Do not give crushed tablets or capsules down a feeding tube because the crushed drug may clog the tube. Dosage is based on your medical condition, any other medications you take to lower your phosphate levels, and your response to therapy. If you are taking the powder form of this medication, check the manufacturer package directions for the proper amount of water to use for your specific dose. Stir the mixture well and drink the mixture within 30 minutes. If the powder settles to the bottom of the glass, then stir again right before drinking. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it after each meal every day, or on the schedule given to you by your doctor. Do not take other medications by mouth for 1 hour before you take this medication or for 3 hours afterward. Taking other medications during that time could decrease the effectiveness of the other drugs. Consult your pharmacist for more information.

Before taking sevelamer, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: low blood phosphorus levels, bowel blockage. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., constipation), stomach/intestinal surgeries, swallowing problems (dysphagia). This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose unless you have just eaten. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: ciprofloxacin, mycophenolate. Sevelamer may interfere with the effectiveness of many drugs by making it more difficult for them to be absorbed by the stomach. Consult your pharmacist about the best times to take your medication(s). This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Headache, diarrhea, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, cough, gas, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if these unlikely but serious side effects occur: problems with your dialysis access site, severe constipation/inability to have a bowel movement, stomach/abdominal pain or swelling. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: trouble breathing, chest pain, pain/redness/swelling in the lower legs. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.