LANTHANUM (Oral-Local)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
Description
Lanthanum (LAN-tha-num) is used totreat hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate in the blood) in patients withkidney disease who are on dialysis.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage forms:
Oral- Chewable tablets (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 lanthanum, the followingshould be considered:
Pregnancy?Studies have not been done in humans. It is notknown if lanthanum affects the absorption of vitamins in pregnant women. Beforetaking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or ifyou may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known if lanthanum passes into breastmilk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, manyof them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking thismedicine and wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only inadult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of lanthanumin children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?This medicine has been tested and has not beenbeen shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people thanit does in younger adults.
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 takinglanthanum, it is especially important that your health care professional knowif you are taking antiacids or any other prescriptionor nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of lanthanum. Make sure you tell your doctor ifyou have any other medical problems, especially:
- Bowel obstruction (blockage) or other disorders affecting the gastrointestinaltract or
- Crohn's disease or
- Peptic ulcer (an ulcer in the wall of the stomach) or
- Ulcerative colitis (inflammatory disease of the colon)?Useof lanthanum has not been studied in patients with these medical problems.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine with meals.
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more often thanyour doctor ordered.
Chew the tablet before swallowing. Do not swallowthe tablet whole.
Follow carefully any diet program your doctor may recommend.
Dosing?The dose of lanthanum will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label.
- For oral dosage form (chewable tablets):
- For high phosphorus levels in the blood:
- Adults?Your dose will be determined by your doctor dependingon how high your blood phosphorus level is.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take itas soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose,skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not doubledoses.
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
Regularvisits: If you will be taking this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. If they do occur they may need medical attention.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause someunwanted effects. The following side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor ifany of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects notlisted above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects,check with your doctor.
Developed: 12/14/2004
