Fosrenol Chewable Tablets (Lanthanum Carbonate Hydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Fosrenol Chewable Tablets Used For?
Fosrenol contains lanthanum carbonate hydrate and is specifically designed to help manage phosphate levels in your blood if you have chronic kidney disease.
Primary Uses
Fosrenol is used to lower phosphate levels in the blood of adult patients with chronic kidney disease. When kidneys don’t work properly, phosphate can build up in the blood, causing a condition called hyperphosphataemia.
How It Works
Fosrenol works as a phosphate binder that prevents your body from absorbing phosphate from the food you eat. The phosphate in your food binds to Fosrenol and is carried through your digestive system to be eliminated in your stool, helping to reduce excess phosphate in your blood.
Good to know: Phosphate is normally needed for building strong teeth and bones and keeping other parts of your body healthy – Fosrenol only removes excess amounts that can be harmful.
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How to Take Fosrenol Chewable Tablets
Always take Fosrenol exactly as your doctor has instructed you. The tablets must be chewed completely and never swallowed whole.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take with each meal. Your daily dose will be divided between three meals. The starting dose is usually 1 tablet with each meal (3 tablets per day). Your doctor will check your blood phosphate levels and may adjust your dose. Take Fosrenol during or immediately after every meal. If you eat extra meals or snacks, you may need additional tablets – ask your doctor about this. Tablets must be chewed completely. If you have difficulty chewing or wear dentures, you can crush the tablets.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take Fosrenol with a meal, take your next dose with your next meal. It’s important to take Fosrenol with every meal for it to work properly.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, and never swallow tablets whole – they must be chewed completely.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- headache
- stomach pain
- indigestion
- flatulence
- constipation
- bronchitis and runny nose
- dizziness from low blood pressure
- tiredness
- weakness
- dry mouth
- weight decrease
- thinning of bones (osteoporosis)
- joint pain
- hair loss
- itching
- skin rash
- increased sweating
- taste disturbance
- reduced appetite
- ankle swelling
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- blockage in the intestine (severe bloating, severe abdominal pain, swelling or cramps, severe constipation)
- hypocalcaemia – too little calcium in blood (tingling in hands and feet, muscle and abdominal cramps, spasms of facial and feet muscles)
- chest pain
Important Warnings
Fosrenol is not suitable for everyone. There are important conditions and situations where you should not use this medication.
Who Should Not Take Fosrenol Chewable Tablets
Do not use Fosrenol if you are allergic to lanthanum carbonate or any ingredients in the tablets, have bowel blockage or obstruction, have no bowel movement (ileus), are unable to defecate due to fecal impaction, or have too little phosphate in your blood (hypophosphataemia).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have reduced liver function, gastrointestinal tract disease, inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, history of stomach ulcers, history of bowel blockage, previous abdominal surgery or abdominal infection/inflammation, reduced kidney function, or take any other medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Fosrenol is not recommended while breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and could affect your baby. If you become pregnant while taking Fosrenol, inform your doctor immediately.
Critical Safety: It is very important to chew tablets completely and not swallow them whole to reduce risk of serious gastrointestinal complications like intestinal rupture or blockage.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Fosrenol and affect how it works. Fosrenol can affect the absorption of certain medicines from your gut.
Timing is crucial: Most interacting medications should be taken at least 2 hours before or after Fosrenol, except quinolone antibiotics which need 2 hours before or 4 hours after.
- chloroquine (for rheumatism and malaria) – take 2 hours before or after Fosrenol
- ketoconazole (antifungal) – take 2 hours before or after Fosrenol
- tetracycline antibiotics – take 2 hours before or after Fosrenol
- doxycycline – take 2 hours before or after Fosrenol
- thyroxine (thyroid hormone) – take 2 hours before or after Fosrenol
- quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin) – take 2 hours before or 4 hours after Fosrenol
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful about activities requiring alertness as Fosrenol can cause side effects that may impair your abilities.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the prescribing information, but discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Fosrenol affects you. Dizziness and vertigo (spinning sensation) are uncommon side effects that may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Storage
Keep Fosrenol in the original packaging until it’s time to take it. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C (77°F). Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date on the bottle label.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Fosrenol, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Seek help even if you don’t feel unwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fosrenol works immediately by binding phosphate from food in your digestive tract during meals. Your doctor will monitor your blood phosphate levels and may adjust your dose to achieve the right level for you.
Yes, you must take Fosrenol with or immediately after every meal. This is essential because Fosrenol works by binding phosphate from the food you eat in your digestive tract.
Do not stop using Fosrenol suddenly. Your doctor will decide how long to continue your treatment. Stopping suddenly could cause phosphate levels to build up again in your blood.
If you forget to take Fosrenol with a meal, take your next dose with your next meal. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. It’s important to take Fosrenol with every meal.
No, Fosrenol tablets must be chewed completely and never swallowed whole. This is very important to reduce the risk of serious gastrointestinal complications. If you have difficulty chewing, you can crush the tablets.
Yes, inform your doctor that you’re taking Fosrenol if you need an X-ray or gastrointestinal endoscopy, as it may affect the results or show lanthanum deposits in your digestive tract.
Some medications need to be taken 2 hours before or after Fosrenol, including antibiotics, antifungals, and thyroid medications. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking and don’t start new medicines without discussing with your doctor first.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.