lanthanum carbonate

LAN-tha-num KAR-bo-nate

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Fosrenol

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Chewable

Therapeutic Class: Phosphate Binder

Uses For lanthanum carbonate

Lanthanum is used to treat hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate in the blood) in patients with end stage kidney disease who are on dialysis.

lanthanum carbonate is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using lanthanum carbonate

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For lanthanum carbonate, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to lanthanum carbonate or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of lanthanum in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of lanthanum in the elderly.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking lanthanum carbonate, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using lanthanum carbonate with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Ciprofloxacin


• Levothyroxine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of lanthanum carbonate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bowel blockage (e.g., ileus) or


• Fecal impaction (blockage in the rectum)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Bowel or stomach or surgery, history of or


• Colon cancer, history of or


• Constipation or


• Diabetes—May increase risk for stomach or bowel blockage.

• Crohn's disease or


• Peptic ulcer or


• Ulcerative colitis—Use of lanthanum has not been studied in patients with these medical problems.

Proper Use of lanthanum carbonate

Take lanthanum carbonate only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

It is best to take lanthanum carbonate with or immediately right after meals.

Chew or crush the tablet completely before swallowing. Do not swallow the tablet whole.

Follow carefully any diet program your doctor may recommend.

If you are taking any other medicines, take them at least 1 hour before or 3 hours after you take lanthanum. If you need help deciding the best times to take your other medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosing

The dose of lanthanum carbonate will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of lanthanum carbonate. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (chewable tablets):
  
  • For high phosphorus levels in the blood:
    
    • Adults—At first, the dose is usually 1500 milligrams (mg) per day, divided in small doses. Your dose will be determined and adjusted by your doctor depending on how high your blood phosphorus level is.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of lanthanum carbonate, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using lanthanum carbonate

If you will be taking lanthanum carbonate for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits for any problems that may be caused by lanthanum carbonate. Blood tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using lanthanum carbonate. lanthanum carbonate may affect the results of certain medical tests (e.g., abdominal or stomach x-ray).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

lanthanum carbonate Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Dialysis graft blockage

Incidence not known

• Bone pain


• convulsions


• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)


• itching skin


• loss of appetite


• skin rash


• trouble breathing


• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Diarrhea


• nausea


• runny nose


• sneezing


• stomach pain


• stuffy nose


• vomiting

Incidence not known

• Acid or sour stomach


• belching


• heartburn


• indigestion


• stomach discomfort or upset


• tooth injury

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: lanthanum carbonate side effects (in more detail)

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More lanthanum carbonate resources

• Lanthanum carbonate Side Effects (in more detail)
• Lanthanum carbonate Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Lanthanum carbonate Drug Interactions
• Lanthanum carbonate Support Group
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• Lanthanum Carbonate Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Lanthanum Carbonate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Lanthanum Carbonate MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Fosrenol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Fosrenol Consumer Overview

Compare lanthanum carbonate with other medications

• Hyperphosphatemia of Renal Failure