I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: sullidog on July 13, 2011, 06:48:48 PM

Title: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: sullidog on July 13, 2011, 06:48:48 PM
I just switched to renvella from renagel, however I have 4 big containers of 90 day supply of renagel that's only a month old and has never been open, any ideas on what to do with this? I'd hate to waste them but if that's the best thing then I'll toss them.
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: Riki on July 13, 2011, 07:32:04 PM
I'm on renagel and can't afford it. you can send it to me.... *G*
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: Jie on July 13, 2011, 08:08:56 PM
I thought both are similar.
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: jbeany on July 14, 2011, 02:43:49 PM
*Ahem...*  No one on this board would ever dream of illegally exchanging meds openly on a public forum, now would they?  Of course not.

That's what PM's are for.... So you can privately exchange any personal addresses and gifts you wish to send....   ;D

 
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: lmunchkin on July 14, 2011, 04:22:17 PM
Sullidog, my husband was on Renagel, then put on Phos Lo, then they put him back on Renagel later!  You never know what is around the corner with this.  If you do "gift" to someone on PM, at least keep one for yourself if you did go back on them!  We gave ours to In-Center just to turn around and get more that we had to pay for! Just speaking from experience!

lmunchkin     :flower;
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: sullidog on July 14, 2011, 07:28:47 PM
yes, it's similar but I switched do to constipation.
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: Riki on July 14, 2011, 10:21:43 PM
*Ahem...*  No one on this board would ever dream of illegally exchanging meds openly on a public forum, now would they?  Of course not.

That's what PM's are for.... So you can privately exchange any personal addresses and gifts you wish to send....   ;D

I was actually kidding.. would probably never make it across the border anyway.. *LOL*
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: jbeany on July 15, 2011, 01:11:52 PM
A number of us have exchanged some lovely, expensive gifts that were no longer needed by the original owners - but yes, in the same country is probably your best bet!
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: Cordelia on July 15, 2011, 01:27:34 PM
I'm on Renagel and find it so constipating. So Renvella is not as constipating? Does it create the undesirable gas that Renagel does? I'm just curious of the cost of Renvella as well. Is it cheaper or more costly than Renagel? I get a month's supply of the Renagel and it costs about $330 Canadian. Thank God for my husband's private insurance though as it only costs out of my pocket, $15 per month!   
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: tyefly on July 15, 2011, 04:28:56 PM
I love gifts.. :shy;
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: RichardMEL on July 16, 2011, 03:52:16 AM
Interesting.  I never had any "plumbing" problems while on Renagel.

Anyway after my tx when I did not require my supply of Renagel again I was able to donate it to the hospital renal ward. I was actually surprised when they accepted it (I didn't think it would be allowesd actually but I asked anyway as it couldn't hurt) they were happy to take it so I felt good that I was able to do something useful with it.
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: Cordelia on July 16, 2011, 09:05:40 AM
LOL Richard, Plumbing problems! LOL    ;D  Love it!    :rofl;  :rofl;
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: brandi1leigh on July 17, 2011, 02:05:52 AM
I have been repeatedly told by my dietitian and by my pharmacy that Renvela and Renagel are the exact same product. The company just switched names. I'm interested to know what the difference is between the two.
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: lola on July 17, 2011, 04:55:04 AM
We have donated extra meds to the transplant center in the past... :)
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: MooseMom on July 17, 2011, 10:22:44 AM
It's my understanding that renvela is a buffered version of Renagel, so like buffered aspirin, it's supposed to be easier on your GI tract.  Whether it actually is or not depends upon the individual, I suppose.
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: Cordelia on July 17, 2011, 10:50:51 AM
Is it.......cheaper than Renagel? Does anybody know? I'm seeing my nephrologist this Tues to ask to switch, if anybody can let me know before then, that'd be great    :flower;
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: Cordelia on July 17, 2011, 07:57:58 PM
Does anybody know? 
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: Annig83 on July 18, 2011, 03:19:30 PM
Hello.  I have found an article on the difference between the two.  Hope this helps.
http://www.renalbusiness.com/news/2007/10/fda-approves-genzyme-s-renvela.aspx

Also, you can donate the remaining Renagel to your dialysis center, I believe the Red Cross, nursing homes, etc.  There should be a drug return program in your state.
Title: Re: what to do with remaining renagel?
Post by: The Lady on July 18, 2011, 04:07:50 PM
The nice thing about Renvela is if you have a pill swallowing issue like I do, (these binders tend to be fricking huuuge!) you can get it in powdered form. It doesn't taste fabulous, but it isn't that bad..just a bit grainy. Kinda tastes like a cheap, bland lemonade.