lanthanum

Lanthanum is used to lower high blood phosphate levels in people 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 may decrease the risk of heart disease and strokes that can result from high phosphate levels.

Lanthanum is a natural mineral that works by binding to phosphate in the foods you eat. The phosphate then passes out of your body in your stool.

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking lanthanum and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually with or right after meals. Chew the tablets completely before swallowing to reduce the risk of stomach/abdominal side effects. You may crush the tablets to make it easier to chew them. Do not swallow the tablets whole. You do not need to swallow this medication with water.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and laboratory test results.

Lanthanum may stop some medications from working well if you take them at the same time. Ask your pharmacist if you need to separate the time that you take your other medications from the time that you take lanthanum. See also Drug Interactions section.

Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes, unusual muscle weakness/spasms, seizures.

Rarely, a serious blockage of the bowels or a hole in the bowels may occur, which may sometimes require surgery or going to the hospital. Tell your doctor right away if you have: stomach/abdominal pain that is severe or doesn't stop, vomiting that doesn't stop, severe constipation, severe diarrhea, fever, chills.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking lanthanum, 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.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: stomach/intestinal problems (such as ulcers, bowel blockage/surgery, cancer, constipation), diabetes.

Before having an X-ray of your stomach/abdomen, tell X-ray personnel that you are taking this medication.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication is not recommended for children because it may affect the bones.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Lanthanum may stop some medications from working well if you take them at the same time. Ask your pharmacist for details because you may need to separate the times you take lanthanum by at least 2 hours from the times you take the following medications, among others: mycophenolate, thyroid medications (such as levothyroxine), tetracycline antibiotics (such as doxycycline, tetracycline), drugs that interact with antacids.

Other medications (such as quinolone antibiotics including ciprofloxacin/levofloxacin) may require different separation time schedules. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to schedule lanthanum and your other medications.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose unless you have just eaten. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Your doctor may tell you to follow a special diet to help lower your blood phosphate levels. Follow the diet closely.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood phosphate and calcium levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.