Understand Dialysis
Why is dialysis important?
When you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage 5, your kidneys aren’t able to do
their jobs, like cleaning waste products and extra fluid from your blood. That’s where
dialysis comes in. It is an artificial way to clean your blood when your kidneys can’t. This
helps keep important minerals, such as phosphorus and calcium, in
balance in your body.
How long does dialysis last?
Usually, you will have to go to dialysis 3 times a week for about
4 hours each time. At first, your dialysis treatments may make you feel a bit tired. This
can seem overwhelming at first, but remember why your doctor has prescribed dialysis
for you. Over time, your body will adjust to treatment and you will start to feel better.
Feeling like yourself is an important goal of treatment, so stick with your plan as
recommended by your doctor.
Are there different types of dialysis?
There are 2 different types of dialysis:
-
Hemodialysis: the removal of excess fluids and waste from the blood by a machine.
This helps to replace the work of the kidneys after they have failed. Hemodialysis is the
most common form of dialysis and is generally done at a dialysis center.
-
Peritoneal dialysis: a process that uses dialysate (a cleansing liquid) and the lining of
your abdominal cavity to clean waste and extra fluid from the blood. Peritoneal dialysis
can be done at home.
Talk to your doctor about the role of Renvela® in your treatment plan.
Renvela®
Indication
Renvela® (sevelamer carbonate) is used to control phosphorus levels in adults and children 6 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis.
Important Safety Information
- Do not use Renvela if you have a history of bowel obstruction or if you are allergic to sevelamer carbonate, sevelamer hydrochloride, or to any of the ingredients in Renvela.
- Talk to your doctor if you have had difficulty swallowing or swallowing disorders; or 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, indigestion, abdominal pain, flatulence, and constipation.
- Cases of hypersensitivity, itching, rash, stomach pain, bleeding gastrointestinal ulcers, colitis, ulceration, necrosis, fecal impaction and less commonly, slow bowel activity, bowel obstruction, and bowel perforation have been reported.
- Cases of difficulty swallowing the Renvela tablet have been reported. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing medicines in tablet form. Renvela powder for oral suspension may be considered by your doctor if you have a history of difficulty swallowing.
- Your doctor should monitor bicarbonate and chloride blood levels.
- Reduced vitamins D, E, and K (clotting factors) and folic acid blood levels may be followed by your doctor.
- Talk 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.
- Take sevelamer with meals and adhere to your prescribed diet
Sevelamer Carbonate
Indication
Sevelamer carbonate is used to control phosphorus levels in adults and children 6 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis.
Important Safety Information
- Do not use sevelamer carbonate if you have a history of bowel obstruction or if you are allergic to sevelamer carbonate, sevelamer hydrochloride or to any of the ingredients.
- Talk to your doctor if you have had difficulty swallowing or swallowing disorders; or 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, indigestion, abdominal pain, flatulence, and constipation.
- Cases of itching, rash, fecal impaction and, less commonly, slow bowel activity, bowel obstruction, bleeding gastrointestinal ulcers, colitis, ulceration, necrosis and bowel perforation have been reported.
- Uncommon cases of difficulty swallowing the sevelamer carbonate tablet have been reported. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing medicines in tablet form. Sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension may be considered by your doctor if you have a history of difficulty swallowing.
- Your doctor should monitor your bicarbonate and chloride blood levels.
- Reduced vitamins D, E, and K (clotting factors) and folic acid blood levels may be followed by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor when taking sevelamer carbonate 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 carbonate.
- Take sevelamer carbonate with meals and adhere to your prescribed diet.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Renvela (PDF).
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Sevelamer Carbonate (PDF).
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The health information contained herein is provided for general education purposes only. Your healthcare professional is
the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any
questions about your health or treatment.