Sevelamer

What is the most important information I should know about sevelamer?

Do not open, break, crush, or chew the tablets or capsules before swallowing.

Take sevelamer with meals and follow the diet prescribed by your doctor.

Take all other medicines at least one hour before or three hours after a dose of sevelamer, under the direction of your doctor. Sevelamer can bind to other medications, decreasing their effectiveness.

What is sevelamer?

Sevelamer is a phosphate binder.

Sevelamer is used to reduce the level of phosphorus in the blood of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In patients on hemodialysis, sevelamer decreases the incidence of episodes of high levels of calcium in the body, secondary to high levels of phosphorus.

Sevelamer may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sevelamer?

Do not take sevelamer if you have

• a low level of phosphorus in your blood, or
• an obstruction in your bowel.

Sevelamer may be dangerous if you have either of the conditions listed above.

Before taking sevelamer, tell your doctor if you have

• difficulty swallowing,
• stomach or intestinal problems, or
• recently had stomach or intestinal surgery.

You may not be able to take sevelamer, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Sevelamer is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether sevelamer will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether sevelamer will affect a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take sevelamer?

Take sevelamer exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with sevelamer to monitor progress and side effects.

Take sevelamer with meals and follow the diet prescribed by your doctor.

Do not open, break, crush, or chew the tablets or capsules before swallowing.

Store sevelamer at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

The symptoms of a sevelamer overdose are not known. Since sevelamer is not absorbed by the body, the risk of dangerous effects from an overdose is low.

What should I avoid while taking sevelamer?

Follow the diet prescribed by your doctor while taking sevelamer.

What are the possible side effects of sevelamer?

If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking sevelamer and seek emergency medical attention.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take sevelamer and notify your doctor if you experience

• flatulence;
• constipation;
• diarrhea;
• upset stomach or vomiting; or
• headache.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect sevelamer?

Take all other medicines at least one hour before or three hours after a dose of sevelamer, under the direction of your doctor. Sevelamer can bind to other medications, decreasing their effectiveness.

Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has more information about sevelamer written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Sevelamer is available with a prescription under the brand name Renagel. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Renagel 403 mg-hard-gelatin capsules
• Renagel 400 mg-oval, film-coated tablets
• Renagel 800 mg-oval, film-coated tablets

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 10/26/04.