Sevelamer, Oral se-VEL-a-mer

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihyperphosphatemic (treats too much phosphorus in the blood)

Generic and brand names: sevelamer hydrochloride, oral; Renagel; sevelamer carbonate, oral; Renvela

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphorus in the blood). It is used by people who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and need hemodialysis.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before you take this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• any problems or surgery in your stomach or intestines
• low levels of phosphorus in your blood
• problems with severe constipation
• trouble swallowing

Females of childbearing age: Talk with 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.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take the exact number of tablets your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not change your dosage unless your healthcare provider approves. Take this medicine with meals.

If you have the tablets, swallow them whole with water. Do not crush or chew them.

If you have the packets, empty the full contents of the packet in a cup. Mix with the amount of water stated in the instructions. Drink the mixture right away. If any medicine is left in the cup, add a little more water, swirl, and drink again.

Take other medicines 1 hour before or 3 hours after you take this medicine.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose and you remember it within 1 hour of a meal, take the missed dose. Otherwise, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for tests.

You may need to follow a special diet. Follow your healthcare provider's directions exactly.

This medicine may reduce the amount of certain vitamins in your body. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about taking a multivitamin while you are taking this medicine.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

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): Severe abdominal pain, severe constipation, trouble swallowing.

Other: Headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, gas, vomiting, itching, rash, cough, tiredness, loss of appetite, joint aches.

What products might interact with this medicine?

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:

• antiarrhythmics (medicines to treat irregular heartbeat) such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), flecainide (Tambocor), mexiletine (Mexitil), procainamide, propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine, and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), levetiracetam (Keppra), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), tiagabine (Gabitril), and topiramate (Topamax)
• levothyroxine (Synthroid)
• mycophenolate (CellCept) (take sevelamer at least 2 hours after this medicine)

Take other medicines 1Â hour before or 3Â hours after doses of this medicine.

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.

How should I store this medicine?

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 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.