Type of medicine: antidote for hyperphosphatemia (high of levels of phosphorus in the blood)
Generic and brand names: calcium acetate, oral; PhosLo
This medicine is taken by mouth to control levels of phosphate in the blood of people with severe kidney disease, including those who are on dialysis.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Before you take this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you are taking digoxin. Taking both medicines together may cause a serious irregular heartbeat.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Be sure to take the medicine with food. It should be taken with each meal.
Do not miss doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, confusion, coma.
This medicine can increase the calcium in your blood. This can cause a serious condition that may require emergency treatment. The symptoms of hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) include:
Do not take this medicine if you have hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood).
Do not take any other form of calcium, such as calcium supplements or antacids containing calcium, while taking this medicine. Follow the diet your healthcare provider recommends. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
You will need to have regular blood tests to check calcium and phosphate levels in your blood. Your dosage may need to be adjusted based on the test results. Keep all appointments for these tests.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Nausea, vomiting, delirium, constipation, loss of appetite, confusion, abnormal drowsiness.
Other: Itching, gas.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or drug interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
