Do not take Renagel if:
- you have low levels of phosphate in your blood
- you have bowel obstruction.
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sevelamer or to any of the other ingredients of the product ( see Section 6: Further information).
Take special care with Renagel
If any of the following applies to you, please consult your doctor before taking Renagel :
- you are not on dialysis
- swallowing problems
- problems with motility (movement) in your stomach and bowel
- retention of stomach contents
- active inflammation of the bowel
- have undergone major surgery on your stomach or bowel.
The safety and efficacy in children (below the age of 18 years) has not been established. Therefore Renagel is not recommended for use in this population.
Additional treatments:
Due to either your kidney condition or your dialysis treatment you may:
- develop a low or high level of calcium in your blood. Since Renagel does not contain calcium your doctor might prescribe additional calcium tablets.
- have a low amount of vitamin D in your blood. Therefore, your doctor may monitor the levels of vitamin D in your blood and prescribe additional vitamin D as necessary. If you do not take multivitamin supplements you may also develop low levels of vitamins A, E, K and folic acid in your blood and therefore your doctor may monitor these levels and prescribe supplemental vitamins as necessary.
Changing treatment:
When you switch from another phosphate binder to Renagel, your doctor might consider monitoring the levels of bicarbonate in your blood more closely because Renagel may decrease the levels of bicarbonate.
Special note for patients on peritoneal dialysis
You may develop peritonitis (infection of your abdominal fluid) associated with your peritoneal dialysis. This risk can be reduced by careful adherence to sterile techniques during bag changes. You should tell your doctor immediately if you experience any new signs or symptoms of abdominal distress,abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, or abdominal rigidity, constipation, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting.
You should expect to be monitored more carefully for problems with low levels of vitamins A, D, E, K and folic acid.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Renagel should not be taken at the same time as ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic).
If you are taking medicines for heart rhythm problems or for epilepsy, you should consult your doctor when taking Renagel.
The effects of medicines such as ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus (medicines used in transplant patients) may be reduced by Renagel. Your doctor will advise you if you are taking these medicines.
Increased levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, a substance in your blood which stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone which helps control your body?s metabolism) may very rarely be observed in certain people taking levothyroxine (a thyroid hormone) and Renagel. Therefore your doctor may monitor the levels of TSH in your blood more closely.
Your doctor will check for interactions between Renagel and other medicines on a regular basis.
Taking Renagel with food and drink
You should take Renagel tablets with meals. However, you should adhere to your prescribed diet and liquid intake.
Do not chew. The tablets must be swallowed whole.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
The safety of Renagel has not been established in pregnant or lactating women. Renagel should only be given to pregnant or lactating women if clearly needed.
Driving and using machines
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. If you are affected, do not drive and do not use any tools or machines.
