Renvela

[Malibu]

MM is getting more nauseated every time he takes this stuff.  They have him taking 3 with meals/2 with snacks.  He started to get nauseated so he reduced it himself to 2 meals/1snacks.  Phos went way up. 

Did you take this and did it make you nauseated?  What do you take?  Neph says he cannot take PhosLo because he is afraid his calcium (which is normal now) will go up.  He did not stop the calcium pill he takes every day tho.

Thanks...

[sullidog]

I take renagel which is the same thing but when I'm in the hospital they give me renvella. How long has he been on it? When I first started on it it nauseated me if I took more then one but now I'm fine. I think it's one of those things your body has to adjust to.
Troy

[Malibu]

He has been on it over a month.  Nausea started the 7th week or so.  If he could take only 1 I think he might be OK, but phos went up as I stated...on 2 at meals and 1 at snacks.  The nausea is bad...  We decided to use his old Phoslo until we get to the new Neph Wednesday. 

The old Neph prescribed the other non-calcium binder...can't remember name right now.  Interesting to know if this other one causes nausea in folks as well.  I realize everyone is different, I am just interested how other people tolerate it.

These pills remind me of some of the drugs you see advertised on TV:  possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, itching, dizziness, and possible death.  I think my goodness.....is it worth it to take it?  It will keep you alive but you will wish you were dead.

[Jie]

I have taken 2 tablets per meal and total 6 tablets per day for about a year. I have not found any side effects.

[JennyGiggle]

I occassionaly get nausea or am actually sick after meals but I don't know if this is cause of meds or just me being weird. The nausea was worse when I first started on all the meds but seems to have settled down. Hope things improve.

Jenny

[Darthvadar]

Mum takes Renagel, and had a similar reaction.....

Then we realised that she was taking it before eating... We've figured that what works for her is to take two or three bites of food, take the medication, and then finish the food....

Might be worth a try...

Darth...

[monrein]

I also used to take Renagel but always had a few bites of food first so it wasn't on a totally empty stomach.  Never had any trouble with it but I do tend to have a bit of a cast iron stomach.  More sensitive digestive tracts might not be so lucky.

[Jenabcd]

I'm like Jie...  2 when I eat and I've had no problem.  Dr. just told me to add a third one for one of my meals, but haven't done that yet.

[sullidog]

I was always told to take it before my first bight, but does it really matter just as long as you don't take it let's say 30 mins before or after a meal? Thoughts anyone?
Troy

[monrein]

I always tried to take it close to the beginning.  Thing is to remember about snacks too. 

[Coreyh]

I had the same problem with Renela, Renagel and PhosLo.  My dietitian at the kidney center recommended a chewable tablet called Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate).  Now my phosphorus is at 4.2 .  No more tummy problems.  You will need to check with your insurance company to make sure they will cover this med.  My 3 month supply co-pay is $88.00 kinda of expense but it works great!

[sullidog]

Does it taste bad?

[jbeany]

Fosrenal is a like a giant, flavorless Tums.  Very chalky.  I never minded them, but I know they make some people gag.  They worked really well, though, and it was easy to adjust amounts - just chop or bite into 1/2, 1/4 or 1/3 depending on phos level in the food.

[ceejster]

Renvella is the only binder that didn't make my mom sick to her stomach. But I have a feeling that's only because she doesn't use enough of it, so it probably doesn't mean much. Good luck!

[renalpenguin]

I take the powder version of Renvela (I can't swallow pills well). I really lost my appetite for the first for weeks, but it got better. It works though- it took my phosphorus from 8.9 to 4.4 in two weeks. I always take mine twice a day just before I start eating.