Renagel (Sevelamer Hcl) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Renagel

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) ...

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Renagel
(sevelamer hydrochloride)

DRUG DESCRIPTION

The active ingredient in Renagel Tablets is sevelamer hydrochloride, a polymeric amine that binds phosphate and is meant for oral administration. Sevelamer hydrochloride is poly(allylamine hydrochloride) crosslinked with epichlorohydrin in which forty percent of the amines are protonated. It is known chemically as poly(allylamine-co-N,N'-diallyl 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane) hydrochloride. Sevelamer hydrochloride is hydrophilic, but insoluble in water. The structure is represented in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Chemical Structure of Sevelamer Hydrochloride

Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

The primary amine groups shown in the structure are derived directly from poly(allylamine hydrochloride). The crosslinking groups consist of two secondary amine groups derived from poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and one molecule of epichlorohydrin.

Renagel ® Tablets: Each film-coated tablet of Renagel contains either 800 mg or 400 mg of sevelamer hydrochloride on an anhydrous basis. The inactive ingredients are hypromellose, diacetylated monoglyceride, colloidal silicon dioxide, and stearic acid. The tablet imprint contains iron oxide black ink.

What are the possible side effects of sevelamer (Renagel, Renvela)?

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

severe stomach pain or constipation; or
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

upset stomach;
stomach pain, gas;
nausea, vomiting;
diarrhea; or

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Renagel »

What are the precautions when taking sevelamer hcl (Renagel)?

Before taking sevelamer, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: low blood phosphorus levels, bowel blockage.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., constipation), stomach/intestinal surgeries, swallowing problems (dysphagia).

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 6/24/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.