Sevelamer (patient information)

# Why is this medication prescribed
Sevelamer is used to treat high blood levels of phosphorous in patients with kidney disease who are on dialysis. It binds phosphorous that you get from foods in your diet and prevents it from being absorbed into your blood stream.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

# How should this medicine be used
Sevelamer comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day with meals. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew or take the capsule apart before you swallow it. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sevelamer exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Sevelamer controls high blood levels of phosphorous which is a common problem in patients with kidney disease, but it does not cure the disease. Continue to take sevelamer even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sevelamer without talking to your doctor.

# What special precautions should I follow
Before taking sevelamer:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sevelamer or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol), ethosuximide (Zarontin), phenobarbital (Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); medications for irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), digoxin (Lanoxin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), disopyramide (Norpace), dolfetilide (Tikosyn), flecainide (Tambocor), ibutilide (Corvert), mexiletine (Mexitil), moricizine (Ethmozine), procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl, Rhythmin), propafenone (Rythmol), propanolol (Betachron ER, Inderal), quinidine, sotalol (Betapace), tocainide (Tonocard), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, others); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others); theophylline (Slobid, Theo-Dur, others); warfarin (Coumadin); and herbal products and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had difficulty swallowing, a stomach or bowel problem such as blockage of your stomach or intestines, or surgery on your stomach or intestines.
- If you are taking other medications, you should take them at least 1 hour before you take sevelamer or 3 hours after you have taken sevelamer, to prevent binding of your other medications.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sevelamer, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking sevelamer.

# What special dietary instructions should I follow
Talk to your doctor about foods that contain high amounts of phosphorous. If your doctor prescribes a low-phosphorous diet, follow these directions carefully.

# What should I do if I forget a dose
Sevelamer should be taken with meals. If you remember that you forgot to take a dose 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 a missed one.

# Side effects
Sevelamer may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- gas (flatulence)
- constipation
- headache
- cough

# What storage conditions are needed for this medicine
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

# What other information should I know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to determine your response to sevelamer.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

# Brand names
- Renagel