I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: flipperfun on August 01, 2013, 02:23:31 AM
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I have just been prescribed Renvela instead of Calcium Carbonate. Having read the side effects, I am scared stiff of taking them, and, they are huge tablets to swallow.
Can anyone please tell me what other phosphate binders are chewable, rather than in tablet form.
Thank you. Denise
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Fosrenol is a large chewable tablet
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I was hesitant to take binders because of their size and possible side effects because I'm usually the guy that has the side effect that "only 1% of patients experience" which means if it has side effects, you better believe I will suffer from it. My only problem with Renvela is the cost. I think my co-pay is like $30. My social worker helped me get a coupon so I only have to pay $5. I really haven't had any side effects. The pills themselves are huge and have a strange taste/smell but other than that no problems for me.
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In a package insert we got with Ed's renvela it said that you can get it in powder form. Ask your pharmacist.
Here is there website that also talk about the powder there.
http://www.renvela.com/patients.aspx
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I have just been prescribed Renvela instead of Calcium Carbonate. Having read the side effects, I am scared stiff of taking them, and, they are huge tablets to swallow.
Give them a try. Renvelas (Renvelae?) are very slippery on the outside, unlike Calcium Carbonate with that gel capsule that sticks. With a sip of something I can usually gulp down three at a time. (Which is good, because I chug about 16 of the things a day.) Haven't noticed any side effects, and my phosphorus lab results haven't impressed me, either. As far as I'm concerned, they're very expensive inert matter.
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Thank you all for your helpful comments. I will ask for the powder form, and suggest Fosrenal if it is available in the UK.
Good luck everyone and thank you again.
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My Neph., told me to take TUMS as they do the same thing. My problem is they make me bloat. Plus I always wondered why they prescribe Renvela and the like when TUMS are so cheap! They all want to make a buck!
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My Neph., told me to take TUMS as they do the same thing. My problem is they make me bloat. Plus I always wondered why they prescribe Renvela and the like when TUMS are so cheap! They all want to make a buck!
No, Tums (calcium carbonte) and Renvela/Fosrenol are not the same.
"Common types of phosphorus binders (phosphate binders)
There are two common types of phosphorus binders: calcium-based phosphorus binders; and aluminum-free, calcium-free phosphorus binders,
◾Calcium-based phosphorus binders have largely replaced aluminum-based binders. Calcium-based phosphate binders may also serve as calcium supplements. Calcium acetate, also called PhosLo®, is one commonly used phosphorus binder. There are many others, usually containing calcium carbonate. Tums® is a form of calcium carbonate, which can also be effective. Because most people will need to take several phosphate binders with every meal, there may be concern about dialysis patients absorbing too much calcium from these medicines, so calcium levels must be monitored. Additionally, some of the calcium from these binders is absorbed into the bloodstream and may deposit in small blood vessels, causing organ damage.
◾Aluminum-free, calcium-free phosphorus binders, such as Renagel® (sevelamer) and Renvela (sevelamer carbonate), are another type of phosphate binders. These phosphorus binders mix with phosphorus in the intestinal tract, but do not contain aluminum or calcium, so they don’t cause problems with excess aluminum or calcium load. Chewable Fosrenol®, lanthanum carbonate, is another aluminum and calcium free binder."
- From DavIta web site
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Thanks Pat...why the hell would my kidney doc tell me to take those??????????????????????? Very confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry if I mislead anyone as I was told to take the original Tums while I was waiting for my Med help to kick in.
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You were told to take Tums because they work for some people. It's worth trying the cheapest thing first. Tums and PhosLo use calcium to bind with the phosphorus and remove it. For some it works great. In others their calcium level gets way too high and they need a choice without calcium like Renvela. I was able to use PhosLo for about a year before my calcium built up and I switched to Renvela.
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I sincerely hope this does not offend anyone but for me, taking Renveal had a side effect that freaked me out the first time I realized it. ??? It turned my stool jet black. I have been on a calcium based binder but calcium is creeping up so I may have to go back.
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You may want to talk to your doctor about combining binders. I was on a combination of Renvela and generic calcium carbonate and the combo kept my phos and calcium in line and was cost-effective.
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Hi there you can get foznol in the uk and ireland as i am on them
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I took tums at first and my calcium went sky high. Spent 5 days in hospital. Now I take Renvela and it seems to work great. Causes constipation though.