lanthanum carbonate

Generic Name: lanthanum carbonate
Other Brand Names: Fosrenol

What is lanthanum carbonate?

Lanthanum carbonate is used for reducing phosphate levels in patients with end stage renal disease. High levels of phosphate can lead to complications with calcium absorption, resulting in serious medical problems.

Lanthanum prevents the body from absorbing phosphate, allowing it to be removed the body.

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Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lanthanum carbonate?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

  • a stomach ulcer;

  • ulcerative colitis;

  • Crohn"s disease; or

  • a bowel obstruction.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use lanthanum carbonate or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Lanthanum carbonate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known if it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Do not take lanthanum carbonate without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Taking this medication may affect the results of certain x-ray tests of your stomach. Tell the doctor or x-ray technician that you are using lanthanum carbonate before having any x-rays.

How should I take lanthanum carbonate?

Lanthanum carbonate should be used exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not take lanthanum carbonate for longer than your doctor has prescribed.

Chew the lanthanum carbonate tablet completely before swallowing. Do not swallow the tablet whole.

Lanthanum carbonate is usually taken with meals or immediately after eating.

Store lanthanum carbonate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of lanthanum carbonate?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Where can I get more information about lanthanum carbonate?
Your pharmacist has information about lanthanum carbonate written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of lanthanum carbonate?

Stop using lanthanum carbonate and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take lanthanum carbonate and tell your doctor if you have:

  • nausea or vomiting;

  • diarrhea or constipation;

  • stomach pain; or

  • dialysis graft blockage.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about lanthanum carbonate?

Lanthanum carbonate tablets should be completely chewed before swallowing. Do not swallow the tablet whole.

Take lanthanum carbonate with meals or immediately after eating.

What should I avoid while taking lanthanum carbonate?

Avoid making any changes to your diet while you are taking this medication.

What other drugs will affect lanthanum carbonate?

There may be other drugs that can affect lanthanum carbonate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of lanthanum carbonate?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms from lanthanum carbonate are unlikely to occur.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008