Lanthanum Carbonate, Oral

________________________________________________________________________

KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat too much phosphate in the blood. Take it exactly as directed.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

________________________________________________________________________

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: phosphate binder (treats too much phosphate in the blood)

Generic and brand names: lanthanum carbonate, oral; Fosrenol

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate in the blood). It is used by people who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and require hemodialysis.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before you take this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A blockage in the intestines, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, severe constipation, or bowel surgery
• Diabetes
• Ulcers

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.

Take the tablets with or immediately after meals. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Chew the tablets completely before swallowing to lessen the chance of serious intestinal side effects.

If you have the powder, sprinkle the medicine on applesauce and eat it right away.

This medicine may keep your body from absorbing other medicines you take. You may need to take this medicine some time before or after you take other medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you are taking and ask when to take your medicines to prevent this problem.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: severe constipation, headache, nausea, vomiting.

What should I watch out for?

You need to have blood tests regularly to determine how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. If you need X-rays, be sure to tell the healthcare provider you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Dialysis graft blockage, severe dizziness or fainting, severe nausea or vomiting, severe diarrhea or constipation, severe or continued stomach pain.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomachache, headache, runny nose.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik) (take the ACE inhibitor 2 hours before or 2 hours after this medicine.)
• Antacids that contain aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, such as Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, Phillips' Chewable Tablets, Rolaids, or TUMS (Take antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
• Antibiotics such as ampicillin, demeclocycline, doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), and tetracycline (Take the antibiotic medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after this medicine.)
• Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin (Take the antibiotic 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take this medicine.)
• Chloroquine (take 2 hours before or 2 hours after this medicine.)
• Cholesterol-lowering medicines such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Altoprev), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor) (Take the statin medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after this medicine.)
• Heart medicines such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Tiazac), felodipine, isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan)
• Thyroid medicines such as levothyroxine (Levo-T, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid), liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat), liotrix (Thyrolar), and thyroid USP (Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid) (Take thyroid medicines 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)

Take other medicines at least 1 hour before or 3 hours after doses of this medicine, or as instructed by your healthcare provider.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

---

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.