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Sevelamer

  • Take sevelamer three times a day, with each of your main meals. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take.
  • Follow carefully any special diet that you have been given.

About sevelamer

Type of medicine Phosphate-binding agent
Used for Hyperphosphataemia (too much phosphate in the blood) in patients having dialysis.
Also called Renagel®
Available as Tablets

Sevelamer works by combining with the phosphates that are eaten in food. This reduces the overall level of phosphate in the blood and helps reduce the complications that can be associated with renal failure.

Before taking sevelamer

Before taking sevelamer make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you have had any bowel disorders or bowel surgery.
  • If you have been constipated for more than one week, with or without tummy discomfort and pain.
  • If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take sevelamer

  • Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
  • Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Take your prescribed dose three times a day, with or immediately after each of your main meals, or as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will have told you how many tablets to take for each dose.
  • Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew them.
  • If you forget to take a dose, miss it out and take the next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up. If in doubt, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored.
  • Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
  • Follow carefully any special diet that you have been given by your doctor or dietician.
  • If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.

Can sevelamer cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick, abdominal pain, indigestion Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain killer. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor
Rash, itching, flatulence (wind), and changes in blood pressure If any of these are troublesome, speak with your doctor

Important: If you experience constipation that lasts for more than one week, speak with your doctor.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store sevelamer

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

  • Manufacturer's PIL, Renagel®, Genzyme Ltd., electronic Medicines Compendium. Leaflet approved June 2007, accessed 8 May 2008.
  • British National Formulary; 55th Edition (March 2008) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
© EMIS 2008 DocID:
3751		 DocRef:
dils3749		 Last Updated:
10 Jul 2008		 Date of Next Review:
10 Jul 2010		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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