Treatments for Hyperphosphatemia

Dialysis

A key part of managing your Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is maintaining a healthy routine. A major part of this routine is attending dialysis regularly. Dialysis removes waste products, including excess phosphorus from your blood when your kidneys aren’t functioning properly. However, dialysis does not remove all the extra phosphorus from your blood.

Diet

Part of your treatment will include a low phosphorus diet. Dietitians prescribe a diet low in phosphorus to limit the amount of phosphorus entering your body. They can also help you choose lower-phosphorus alternatives to the foods you like.

Phosphate binders

Even with dialysis treatment and a proper diet, most patients with CKD need extra help controlling phosphorus in the body. Renvela^® (sevelamer carbonate), a phosphate binder, is taken with meals and snacks to help clear away the phosphorus that is found in food before it can enter the blood. Just as a sponge soaks up water, Renvela combines with food in your stomach to soak up phosphorus before it can be absorbed into your body. The phosphorus that is absorbed by Renvela moves through the digestive tract until it is eliminated.

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.