GENERIC NAME: SEVELAMER - ORAL (seh-VELL-uh-mer)

BRAND NAME(S): Renagel

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

USES: Sevelamer is used to treat dialysis patients (with kidney disease) who have high phosphorus levels in their blood.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth usually 3 times daily with meals; or take as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Swallow this medication whole; do not crush or chew this medicine. If you are using the capsule form of this drug, do not crush, chew, or open the capsules. Do not take other oral medications within 1 hour before, or 3 hours after taking this medication. Doing so could decrease the effectiveness of the other drugs. Consult your pharmacist.

SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, vomiting, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occurs: dizziness, blurred vision. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: trouble breathing, unusually fast heartbeat, pain/redness/swelling in the lower legs. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: This medication is not recommended for use if you have the following medical conditions: low blood phosphorus levels, bowel obstruction. Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: stomach problems (e.g., motility disorders), stomach/intestinal surgeries, swallowing problems (dysphagia), any allergies you may have. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Dialysis - Dialysis is a procedure that performs many of the normal duties of the kidneys, like filtering waste products from the blood, when the kidneys no longer work adequately. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Source:MedicineNet Read 10 more sevelamer-oral related articles ... Cutting Phosphate May Protect Kidney Patients From Heart Trouble