SEVELAMER

(se VEL a mer) Brand: Renagel, Renvela

What is the most significant information I must know about sevelamer?

• You must not take this medicine if you are allergic to sevelamer, or if you have a bowel obstruction.

• Till taking sevelamer, speak your doctor if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your intestines, a stomach or intestinal mess, trouble swallowing, or if you have recently had stomach or intestinal surgery.

• Avoid taking any another medicines within 1 hour till or 3 hours after you take sevelamer. Sevelamer can bind to another medications and create them smaller effective.

• Till taking sevelamer, speak your doctor if you are taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro), a heart rhythm medicine, or a seizure medication.

• Do not take calcium or another mineral supplements without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of calcium or mineral supplement your doctor recommends.

What is sevelamer?

• Sevelamer is a phosphate binder. Sevelamer helps prevent hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the body) caused by elevated phosphorus.

• Sevelamer is used to control phosphorus levels in people with chronic kidney malady who are on dialysis.

• Sevelamer may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking sevelamer?

• You must not take this medicine if you are allergic to sevelamer, or if you have a bowel obstruction.

• To create certain you can safely take sevelamer, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:

· trouble swallowing;

· severe constipation;

· a blockage in your intestines;

· a stomach or intestinal mess; or

· if you have recently had stomach or intestinal surgery.

• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether sevelamer will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

• It is not known whether sevelamer passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I take sevelamer?

• Take exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not take in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

• Your doctor may occasionally change your doze to create certain you get the excellent results.

• Take sevelamer with meals.

• Do not crush, chew, or interrupt the sevelamer tablet. Swallow the pill intact. Sevelamer tablets expand when they are wet, and breaking or crushing the pill may create it harder to swallow.

• Sevelamer powder must be dissolved in water till you take it. The 0.8-gram packet must be mixed with at least 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of water. The 2.4-gram packet must be mixed with at least 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) of water.

• Stir the powder in water before it is completely dissolved. Drink all of this mixture right away. To create certain you get the entire doze, add a few more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

• To be certain this medicine is helping your condition and not causing deleterious effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

• Sevelamer may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes a particular diet. It is very significant to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You must become very familiar with the list of foods you should ate or avoid to help control your condition.

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Be certain to take the missed doze with food. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What must I avoid while taking sevelamer?

• Avoid taking any another medicines within 1 hour till or 3 hours after you take sevelamer. Sevelamer can bind to another medications and create them smaller effective.

• Do not take calcium or another mineral supplements without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of calcium or mineral supplement your doctor recommends.

What are the possible side effects of sevelamer?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Stop using sevelamer and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

· black, bloody, or tarry stools;

· constipation that gets worse or does not clear up;

· severe constipation with stomach pain; or

· fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

· upset stomach, gas, bloating;

· diarrhea, mild constipation;

· weary feeling;

· itching; or

· joint pain.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect sevelamer?

• Speak your doctor about all another medicines you use, especially:

· ciprofloxacin (Cipro);

· levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl);

· a heart rhythm medicine; or

· a seizure medication.

• This list is not complete and another drugs may interact with sevelamer. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about sevelamer.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each 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 external 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 must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help 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.