Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data not available
What is Lanthanum Carbonate?
Lanthanum carbonate is used to lower phosphate levels in patients with end stage kidney disease. High levels of phosphate can make it hard for your body to absorb calcium, which can cause serious medical problems.
Lanthanum carbonate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use lanthanum carbonate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- a bowel obstruction or severe constipation.
This medicine may cause severe bowel obstruction or a perforation (a hole or tear) in your intestines, especially if you have ever had stomach or intestinal problems.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- a stomach ulcer;
- a bowel obstruction;
- slow digestion or severe constipation;
- surgery on your stomach or intestines;
- ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis;
- stomach or intestinal cancer; or
- peritonitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the organs inside your abdomen).
If you need to have any type of x-ray of your stomach area, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using lanthanum carbonate.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How should I use Lanthanum Carbonate
Use Lanthanum Carbonate (Fosrenol) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take lanthanum carbonate with food or immediately after eating.
The chewable tablet must be chewed or crushed completely before you swallow it. Do not swallow a chewable tablet whole. Not chewing the tablet completely may lead to serious stomach or intestinal problems.
If you have tooth problems or cannot chew easily, crush the chewable tablet before swallowing, or ask your doctor about using the oral powder form of lanthanum carbonate.
Sprinkle the oral powder into a small amount of applesauce or other soft food (oral powder will not dissolve in liquid). Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.
While using lanthanum carbonate, you may need frequent blood tests.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.
Lanthanum Carbonate side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This medicine may cause severe bowel obstruction or a perforation (a hole or tear) in your intestines.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe stomach pain, bloating, or tenderness;
- fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
- severe constipation; or
- bleeding from your rectum or blood in your stools;
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting;
- diarrhea; or
- stomach pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Lanthanum Carbonate?
Avoid taking this medicine at the same time you take your other medicines. Lanthanum carbonate can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth.