Sevelamer

Sevelamer is a prescription medication used to lower phosphorus levels in people with kidney disease on dialysis. Sevelamer belongs to a group of drugs called phosphate binders, which help the body get rid of phosphorus.

This medication comes in tablet and oral suspension forms and is taken three times a day, with meals.

Common side effects of sevelamer include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

Sevelamer is a prescription medication used to lower phosphorus levels in people with kidney disease on dialysis.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended starting dose of sevelamer is 0.8 or 1.6 grams taken three times per day, with meals.

The dose can be increased in order to obtain serum phosphorus target (3.5 to 5.5 mg/dL) or the target indicated by your doctor. 

Serious side effects have been reported with sevelamer including:

• Gastrointestinal effects: Sevelamer can cause severe problems in the digestive tract, such as blockages and holes.  Tell your doctor if you have a history of swallowing disorders, digestive tract surgery, or severe constipation.
• Sevelamer can affect your bicarbonate and chloride levels.  Your doctor may order a simple blood test to monitor these levels while you take sevelamer.
• Sevelamer can decrease the amount of folic acid and vitamins D, E, and K in the body.  Your doctor will likely suggest you take a vitamin supplement while on sevelamer.

Do not take sevelamer if you:

• are allergic to sevelamer or any of its ingredients
• have a blockage in the intestines (bowel obstruction)

Serious side effects have been reported with sevelamer. See “Sevelamer Precautions” section.

Common side effects of sevelamer include:

• vomiting
• nausea
• diarrhea
• upset stomach
• pain in the stomach area (abdomen)
• gas
• constipation
• itching
• rash

This is not a complete list of sevelamer side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• levothyroxine

This is not a complete list of sevelamer drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Sevelamer falls into category C. Studies in animals have shown a harmful and undesired effect on the unborn baby, yet there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. 

This medication may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to her unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if sevelamer is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Sevelamer can decrease the amount of folic acid and vitamins D, E, and K in the body.  Your doctor will likely suggest you take a vitamin supplement while on sevelamer.

Sevelamer can affect your bicarbonate and chloride levels.  Your doctor may order a simple blood test to monitor these levels while you take sevelamer.

Your doctor may suggest a diet low in phosphorus while taking sevelamer.

• Some foods high in phosphorus include dairy foods (milk, cheese, yogurt), beans (baked, kidney, lima, pinto), and cola.

Sevelamer can cause severe problems in the digestive tract, such as blockages.  Tell your doctor if you have a history of swallowing disorders, digestive tract surgery, or severe constipation.