Binders

[BigSky]

 I searched and couldn't find anything at first. Boy it was hard. Then I came across drugs.com lol:

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/sevelamer.html for Renagel.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/c/caltrate.html for Caltrate.

Is Renagel just a Canadian drug? I know there are different types and every patient has different needs.

There are different Phosphate binders:

    *   Calcium-Based Phosphate Binders
    *   Aluminum-Based Phosphate Binders
    *   Aluminum- and Calcium-Free Phosphate Binders

Renagel is made by Genzyme,  A US company based in Cambridge MA.

Not sure if many use the aluminum based binders anymore since the possible link of aluminum buildup to alzheimers.

[angieskidney]

Not sure if many use the aluminum based binders anymore since the possible link of aluminum buildup to alzheimers.

Really?? Good thing I am sticking to Tums then 

[RichardMEL]

Wattle...

yes, we have Renegel here... my doc has just made out a script for me. I was using Caltrate but my Calcium went up over 2.5 so we are trying Renegel to keep the Calcium down. I am also using alutabs for phosphate binders... my aluminium was a bit high but they don't seem too concerned (hmmmm).

[Wattle]

Wattle...

yes, we have Renegel here... my doc has just made out a script for me. I was using Caltrate but my Calcium went up over 2.5 so we are trying Renegel to keep the Calcium down. I am also using alutabs for phosphate binders... my aluminium was a bit high but they don't seem too concerned (hmmmm).

  Thanks Richard,
All the different drug names get me confused. I know Alutabs.. they have been around forever! I am a bit concerned about taking them.  I might forget what is wrong with me. lol 
Are the TUMS the same we have here for heartburn?

[angieskidney]

Yes the same TUms but if your Calcium is high then something like Renagel is a lot better

See they give you what ever is best for you .. some binders have calcium as well but no all patients have low calcium (depends on if you have your parathyroids as well still and stuff like that) etc.

[KICKSTART]

ANYONE reading this , didnt want to start another thread, when you take the binders (eg renegel,) i have been told after meals. But my question is , what if you tend to snack during the day rather that eat a meal , for eg , if you had a slice of toast for breakfast , would you take one then ? I'm interested to know if its sort of, take them on a full stomach or not ? Anyone know

[MJB]

I am taking pics now of what I use since you brought this up Okay .. the brown one is a mini M&M's candy holder and the white one is for Renagel pills. That container I got from my dietitian

I got a Renagel one like that, though mines green.

  Is Renegal the same as Caltrate?   

I searched and couldn't find anything at first. Boy it was hard. Then I came across drugs.com lol:

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/sevelamer.html for Renagel.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/c/caltrate.html for Caltrate.

Is Renagel just a Canadian drug? I know there are different types and every patient has different needs.


There are different Phosphate binders:

•   Calcium-Based Phosphate Binders
•   Aluminum-Based Phosphate Binders
•   Aluminum- and Calcium-Free Phosphate Binders

Here even is a good article on the Renagel website About Hyperphosphatemia in Chronic Kidney Disease:
http://www.renagel.com/patient/disease/ren_p_pt_disease.asp

Hey Angie,

I take both renagel and Fosrenol.  Fosrenol is rather new from what I have been told.  I take the Renagel(when I remember) before meals and the Fosrenol after meals if I forget. I was told by my dietition that Fosrenol only works after meals. I really have a hard time with them because they are the size of a silver dollar and 4 times as thick. You have to chew them as you would tums. It really did help my phosphorus when took them. I find it easier to swallow a bunch of pills though.

Mike

[lamillinger913]

I started with Renagel and had to take 3 with each meal to keep the phosphorus under control. But they just didn't agree with me. I found myself feeling so sick to my stomach I could barely drag myself to work. When I mentioned this to the nurse practitioner, they gave me a sample of Fosrenol. It has had no bad side effects for me and really does a better job of controlling my phosphorus. I take a 500 mg tablet after a meal and break it in half for a substantial snack. Just what works for me, not necessarily a recommendation for everyone!

[angieskidney]

Hey Angie,

I take both renagel and Fosrenol.  Fosrenol is rather new from what I have been told.  I take the Renagel(when I remember) before meals and the Fosrenol after meals if I forget. I was told by my dietition that Fosrenol only works after meals. I really have a hard time with them because they are the size of a silver dollar and 4 times as thick. You have to chew them as you would tums. It really did help my phosphorus when took them. I find it easier to swallow a bunch of pills though.

Mike

Thx for that! That has a lot to do probably with the diagram on the first page of this thread (absorption in different parts of the intestine). It does make sense! Thanks! 

ANYONE reading this , didnt want to start another thread, when you take the binders (eg renegel,) i have been told after meals. But my question is , what if you tend to snack during the day rather that eat a meal , for eg , if you had a slice of toast for breakfast , would you take one then ? I'm interested to know if its sort of, take them on a full stomach or not ? Anyone know

That was my question before as well! But it took awhile for me to figure it out! If you are good with your phosphate all day long then small snacks you don't have to take anything. If you haven't been good then try to snack all in one hour so that the binders will work for you!

[BigSky]

ANYONE reading this , didnt want to start another thread, when you take the binders (eg renegel,) i have been told after meals. But my question is , what if you tend to snack during the day rather that eat a meal , for eg , if you had a slice of toast for breakfast , would you take one then ? I'm interested to know if its sort of, take them on a full stomach or not ? Anyone know

I was told to take them anytime I eat.  The doc even added this into the prescription to make sure there was some for snacks.

[jbeany]

My scrip says "meals and snacks" as well.  I now take 3 phoslo with every meal, 2 with every snack.  If I have a really big meal, like a sit-down dinner with dessert, I take 3 before and 2 after.  And if I can't stand the cravings anymore, and have something that's really high in phos, like a chocolate bar with peanut butter, or cheese and crackers, then I take 2 before and 2 right after.

It's working for me - my last phos was 4.4

[shay_pcb]

Mine also says meals and snacks. I only take 1 with my meals and snacks, unless there's lots of cheese or whole wheat or chocolate, then I take 2. I try to take them before I eat or after my first few bites, but sometimes I forget and take them afterwards. As long as it's within the hour after, then I'm ok. My levels are also good every month.

I used to take Fosrenol, but I hated it. I thought it was nasty, and it made me nauseous after chewing it. I always "forgot" to take it and eventually asked for something else.

[Wattle]

     O.K   How many do I take with a latte? Just coffee.... (I know i'm really bad!) no cake. I normally take two at breakfast & lunch and three with dinner. Is one enough or should I take two?   

[angieskidney]

     O.K   How many do I take with a latte? Just coffee.... (I know i'm really bad!) no cake. I normally take two at breakfast & lunch and three with dinner. Is one enough or should I take two?   

It all depends on your bloodlabs. Just like the dietitian goes by

I take Tums and I was told that there is a MAX you can take. So I have to really figure it out. I have it all worked out well though and love to take my chocolate flavoured Tums (Coacoa&Creme)

[Bajanne]

I LIKE the look of that Tums!  I haven't seen it at yet.  I just have the regular extra-strength fruit-flavoured ones.

[kitkatz]

The dialysis center doctor came by yesterday and snuck a prescription onto me while I was sleeping for Renagel.  Since I get an upset tummy taking Renagel, I was PISSED!  WTF!  Lay a prescription on the chair's table and do not even discuss it with me?  I had a fit when I left the center!  How dare they give me a prescription and just lay it down by me!  They NEED to discuss these things with me, not just assume I am going to be a robot patient and get it filled just because the doctor said!

[angieskidney]

The dialysis center doctor came by yesterday and snuck a prescription onto me while I was sleeping for Renagel.  Since I get an upset tummy taking Renagel, I was PISSED!  WTF!  Lay a prescription on the chair's table and do not even discuss it with me?  I had a fit when I left the center!  How dare they give me a prescription and just lay it down by me!  They NEED to discuss these things with me, not just assume I am going to be a robot patient and get it filled just because the doctor said!

I would be pissed as well! I would simply refuse to take it! Wouldn't be the first time I have refused a med by the Neph's. I just explain to them why. Hopefully they don't put me down as "noncompliant"

[shay_pcb]

I've been put down as noncompliant in the hospital for them trying to give me meds I didn't need. I told my DR about it and he got mad at them!! lol

[angieskidney]

Ya I took myself off my BP meds and I changed how many Tums I take .. but I wouldn't recommend just anyone doing that. I have spent years with my health problems so I know what works for me and I know what meds NOT to alter.

[RichardMEL]

I wouldn't just take a script left for me with no discussion with the doctor! That seems wrong to be. I'd def call the doctor/unit manager and let them know that you would have perhaps rather been woken up (though I can understand them not waking you) and talked to about the script, or had them leave a note to call them when you could to discuss a medication change.

Hmm I am worried now that I am about to go on Renegel that a lot of people seem to have side effects!

[kitkatz]

They all know in the unit I am mean when awakened, but the doctor came by later and did not even tell me he left a prescription for me. I am going to complain very loudly to the director of the center.

[goofynina]

Man-O-Man!!!  Would you believe, i have been taking Tums for 1 month and my phosphorus is down to 3.3, 3.3 I SAID...    My PD nurse had to look three times to make sure she was looking at MY lab results, lol,  but of course, with that, my calcium is up too so they are probably going to take my Tums away and give me some other binder, that i cant afford, and my phos. will go right back up again,     Well, at least i have gotten 1 good lab results, lol 

[Zach]

Man-O-Man!!!  Would you believe, i have been taking Tums for 1 month and my phosphorus is down to 3.3, 3.3 I SAID...    My PD nurse had to look three times to make sure she was looking at MY lab results, lol,  but of course, with that, my calcium is up too so they are probably going to take my Tums away and give me some other binder, that i cant afford, and my phos. will go right back up again,     Well, at least i have gotten 1 good lab results, lol 

Fantastic!!!!

I have the same problem with a higher calcium, so I mix up the binders: tums and renagel.
Even with a higher calcium blood level, your calcium x phosphorus product may still be in the acceptable range:  55 or less.

[Wattle]

Man-O-Man!!!  Would you believe, i have been taking Tums for 1 month and my phosphorus is down to 3.3, 3.3 I SAID...    My PD nurse had to look three times to make sure she was looking at MY lab results, lol,  but of course, with that, my calcium is up too so they are probably going to take my Tums away and give me some other binder, that i cant afford, and my phos. will go right back up again,     Well, at least i have gotten 1 good lab results, lol 

Fantastic!!!!

I have the same problem with a higher calcium, so I mix up the binders: tums and renagel.
Even with a higher calcium blood level, your calcium x phosphorus product may still be in the acceptable range:  55 or less.

Zach, Is your Phosphate measured the same as ours? mmol/L and what is the code for calcium/phosphorus? I am trying harder to understand my results and take a more active role in controlling them. I take Caltrate as my binder. The doctors have never given me an option for a different one. I want to educate myself, so I am able to ask more detailed questions during the consults.   

[thegrammalady]

i take renegel, which i know bothers some people. my blood calcium is high so i'm not supposed to use tums. which i use anyway, once or twice a month if the heartburn is bad. i'm also not supposed to eat dairy products because of the calcium. (i didn't eat the ice cream, you didn't really see that, ice cream, what ice cream...........no there wasn't any ice cream) the doctor pronounced my blood work great this month, so something must be working. which just proves the dietitian WRONG, since she stated a flat "if you eat any cheese ever your phosphorus will never go down" i just love it when that happens!!!!!  (who, me, eat cheese?)