CELLULOSESODIUM PHOSPHATE (Systemic)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
- Antiurolithic, calcium calculi
Description
Cellulosesodium phosphate (SELL-u-lose SO-dee-umFOS-fate) is used to prevent the formation of calcium-containingkidney stones. It is used in patients whose bodies absorb too much calciumfrom their food.
Cellulose sodium phosphate works by combining with the calcium and someother minerals in food. This prevents the calcium from reaching the kidneyswhere the stones are formed.
Cellulose sodium phosphate is available only with your doctor's prescription,in the following dosage form:
Oral- Powder for oral suspension (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For cellulose sodiumphosphate, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to cellulose sodium phosphate. Also tell your health careprofessional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Studies have not been done in either humans or animals.However, pregnant women usually need more calcium in their diet, and shouldnot take cellulose sodium phosphate unless it is clearly needed. Be sure youhave discussed the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether cellulose sodium phosphatepasses into breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to causeproblems in nursing babies.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of cellulose sodium phosphate in children with use in any other age group,its use is not recommended in children up to 16 years of age because of theincreased need for calcium in growing children.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof cellulose sodium phosphate in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingcellulose sodium phosphate, it is especially important that your health careprofessional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Calcium supplements, or calcium containing antacids or laxatives?Usemay lead to too much calcium in the body, preventing the cellulose sodiumphosphate from working properly
- Magnesium supplements, or magnesium containing antacids or laxatives?Cellulosesodium phosphate and magnesium should not be taken within 1 hour of each other
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of cellulose sodium phosphate. Make sure you tellyour doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Bone disease?Cellulose sodium phosphate may make the conditionworse
- Edema or swelling or
- Heart disease?The high sodium content of cellulose sodium phosphatemay cause the body to hold water
- Intestinal problems or
- Parathyroid disease or problems?Cellulose sodium phosphatemay increase the risk of bone problems
Proper Use of This Medicine
Make certainyour health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such asa low-sodium or low-sugar diet. Also tell your health care professional ifyour diet contains large amounts of milk or other dairy products, spinach(or other dark green leafy vegetables), chocolate, brewed tea, or rhubarbor if you are taking vitamin C or magnesium supplements.
Take this medicine mixed in a full glass (8 ounces)of water, soft drink, or fruit juice. After drinking all the liquidcontaining the medicine, rinse the glass with a little more liquid. Drinkthat also to make sure you get all the medicine.
It is very important that you take cellulose sodiumphosphate with meals. If this medicine is taken an hour or more aftera meal, it will not work properly.
Take cellulose sodium phosphate only as directed.Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it fora longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance ofside effects.
Drink at least a full glass (8 ounces) of water, asoft drink, or fruit juice every hour while you are awake, unless otherwisedirected by your doctor. This also will help prevent kidney stoneswhile you are taking cellulose sodium phosphate.
Dosing?The dose of cellulose sodium phosphate willbe different for different patients. Follow your doctor'sorders or the directions on the label. The following information includesonly the average doses of cellulose sodium phosphate. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tellsyou to do so.
- To prevent kidney stones:
- Adults: At first, 10 to 15 grams a day (3.3 to 5 grams three timesa day with meals). Then, your doctor may reduce your dose.
- Children: Use is not recommended.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the misseddose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regularvisits. This is to make sure cellulose sodium phosphate is workingproperly and does not cause unwanted effects.
If you are taking a magnesium supplement, take it at least one hour beforeor after you take cellulose sodium phosphate. Otherwise, the magnesium maycombine with this medicine and keep it from working properly.
Do not take vitamin C, or eat spinach (or other dark green leafy vegetables),chocolate, brewed tea, or rhubarb while you are taking cellulose sodium phosphate.They may increase the chance of kidney stones.
Do not drink milk or eat milk products (for example, cheese, ice cream,and yogurt) while you are taking this medicine, because dairy products arehigh in calcium. Drinking milk or eating milk products may keep cellulosesodium phosphate from working properly.
While you are taking cellulose sodium phosphate, do not eat salty foodsor use extra salt on foods. To do so may increase the chance of unwanted effects.
For patients on a low-sodium diet:
- This medicine contains sodium. If you have any questions about this,check with your health care professional.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these sideeffects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possibleif any of the following side effects occur:
Other side effects may occur that usually donot need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Interim revision: 05/13/1994
