Fosrenol (Lanthanum Carbonate Chewable Tablets) Drug Overview and Uses for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Fosrenol

Kidney Failure »

What are the kidneys?

The kidneys play key roles in body function, not only by filtering the blood and getting rid of waste products, but also by balancing levels of electrolyte levels in the body, controlling blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells.

The kidneys are located in the abdomen toward the back, normally one on each side of the spine. They get their blood supply through the renal arteries directly from the aorta and send blood back to the heart via the renal veins to the vena cava. (The term "renal" is derived from the Latin name for kidney.)

The kidneys have the ability to monitor the amount of body fluid, the concentrations of electrolytes like sodium and potassium, and the acid-base balance of the body. They filter waste products of body metabolism, like urea from protein metabolism and uric acid from DNA breakdown. Two waste products in the blood can be measured: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) ...

Read the Kidney Failure article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Fosrenol User Reviews >>

Fosrenol

Take the Kidney Disease Quiz

Kidney Stones Slideshow Pictures

High Blood Pressure Slideshow Pictures

font size

Fosrenol Consumer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

LANTHANUM CARBONATE CHEWABLE TABLET - ORAL

(lan-THA-numb car-BOW-nate)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Fosrenol

USES: Lanthanum is used to prevent high blood phosphate levels in patients who are on dialysis due to severe kidney disease. Dialysis removes some phosphate from your blood, but it is difficult to remove enough to keep your phosphate levels balanced. Decreasing blood phosphate levels can help keep your bones strong, prevent unsafe buildup of minerals in your body, and possibly decrease the risk of heart disease and strokes that can result from high phosphate levels. Lanthanum is a natural mineral that works by holding onto phosphate from the diet so that it can pass out of your body.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or right after each meal, or as directed by your doctor. This medication must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. You may crush the tablets to make it easier to chew them. Do not swallow tablets whole. It is not necessary to swallow this medication with water.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it after each meal every day, or on the schedule given to you by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Lanthanum may interfere with the absorption of certain other medications taken by mouth (such as warfarin, drugs that interact with antacids). The manufacturer recommends taking these other medications at least 2 hours apart from lanthanum. Talk to your pharmacist for more details (see also the Drug Interactions section).