Why Renvela?

If you have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and are on dialysis, your doctor may prescribe a new phosphate binder called Renvela^® (sevelamer carbonate) to help remove the extra phosphorus from your body. Along with a low phosphorus diet and dialysis treatments, you will need to take Renvela with meals and snacks as prescribed by your doctor.

Renvela contains the same active ingredient, sevelamer, which is contained in a widely used phosphate binder called Renagel^® (sevelamer hydrochloride). The difference is that Renvela contains a carbonate salt which may act as a buffer. Renvela, like Renagel, is different from other phosphate binders because it does not contain calcium or metal. Unlike other phosphate binders it is also not absorbed; therefore, it does not accumulate in the body.

Please see the Important Treatment Considerations below for additional information and the most common side effects associated with Renvela.

Important Treatment Considerations

Renvela^® (sevelamer carbonate) and Renagel^® (sevelamer hydrochloride) are used to control phosphorus levels in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on dialysis. Do not use sevelamer if you have very low phosphorus levels or a history of bowel obstruction. Talk to your doctor if you have had digestive tract surgery, or other digestive disorders including severe constipation. The most common side effects with sevelamer include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, abdominal pain, constipation, and rash. In uncommon instances, patients have experienced bowel obstruction. Take sevelamer with meals and adhere to your prescribed diet. Speak to your doctor when taking sevelamer with other medications. Promptly contact your doctor if you experience severe abdominal pain, new or worsening constipation, or other severe intestinal symptoms while on sevelamer. For more information, please see Full Prescribing Information for Renvela, Full Prescribing Information for Renagel or call Genzyme Medical Information at 1-800-847-0069.