Fosrenol is available as chewable tablets in several strengths, including 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg, and 1,000 mg.
It is used to lower high phosphate levels in people with advanced kidney disease. Because Fosrenol works by binding to phosphate from food, it should be taken with or immediately after meals.
Chew the Tablet Completely
Fosrenol chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
Do not swallow the tablets whole. Swallowing an intact tablet may increase the risk of digestive blockage or other complications, especially if you have difficulty chewing or poor dental health.
If chewing is difficult, the tablet may be crushed completely before taking it, according to your healthcare provider’s instructions.
Why It Should Be Taken With Meals
Fosrenol works inside the digestive tract by attaching to phosphate from the food you eat.
Taking the medication with or immediately after a meal allows it to bind to phosphate before that phosphate can be absorbed into your bloodstream.
Taking Fosrenol away from meals may reduce how effectively it controls your phosphate level.
Starting Dose
A common recommended starting amount is a total of 1,500 mg per day.
This total daily amount is usually divided among meals. Your healthcare provider may tell you to take different amounts with different meals depending on your phosphate levels, eating habits, and treatment needs.
How the Daily Dose May Be Divided
For example, if your total daily dose is 1,500 mg, your healthcare provider may divide that amount between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The exact amount taken with each meal can vary. Do not divide or adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so.
Dose Adjustments
Fosrenol dosing is individualized according to your serum phosphate level, which is measured through blood tests.
Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose every 2 to 3 weeks until your phosphate level reaches the desired range.
Dose changes are usually made gradually so your response can be monitored safely.
Usual Daily Dose Range
Many patients need a total daily dose between 1,500 mg and 3,000 mg to achieve adequate phosphate control.
Some people may require more or less depending on their diet, dialysis treatment, phosphate levels, and response to the medication.
Clinical studies in people with end-stage renal disease have evaluated total daily doses of up to 4,500 mg.
Do Not Increase the Dose on Your Own
Do not take extra Fosrenol because you have eaten a high-phosphate meal unless your healthcare provider has specifically instructed you to adjust your dose this way.
Taking more than prescribed may increase the risk of side effects without providing additional benefit.
Regular Blood Tests Are Important
Your healthcare provider will check your serum phosphate level during treatment.
Testing may be more frequent when you first start Fosrenol or when your dose is being adjusted.
Once your phosphate level becomes stable, your healthcare provider will continue checking it periodically to make sure treatment remains effective.
Why Your Dose May Change Over Time
Your phosphate level can change because of several factors, including:
- Changes in your diet
- Changes in dialysis
- Missed doses
- Changes in your overall health
- The amount of phosphate in the foods you regularly eat
Because of this, the dose that works well at one point may need to be adjusted later.
Take Each Dose Consistently
Take Fosrenol with each meal or snack for which it has been prescribed.
Skipping doses may allow more phosphate from food to enter your bloodstream, making it harder to keep your phosphate level controlled.
If You Miss a Dose
If you forget to take Fosrenol with a meal, do not usually take the missed dose later when you are no longer eating.
Because Fosrenol works by binding to phosphate in food, it is most useful when taken with a meal.
Take your next scheduled dose with your next meal, unless your healthcare provider gives you different instructions.
Follow Your Phosphate-Controlled Diet
Fosrenol works best when combined with a phosphate-controlled diet.
Your kidney care team or dietitian may recommend limiting foods that are particularly high in phosphate or contain added phosphate ingredients.
The medication helps reduce phosphate absorption, but it does not replace dietary management.
Fosrenol and Dialysis
If you are receiving dialysis, continue attending all scheduled dialysis sessions.
Fosrenol and dialysis work in different ways. Dialysis removes some phosphate that is already in the bloodstream, while Fosrenol reduces how much phosphate from food is absorbed in the first place.
Tell Your Healthcare Provider About Other Medicines
Fosrenol can affect the absorption of some oral medications.
Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements you take. Some medicines may need to be taken at a different time from Fosrenol.
If You Have Trouble Chewing
Tell your healthcare provider if you have poor dentition, dentures, swallowing difficulties, or problems chewing tablets.
Because Fosrenol tablets must be thoroughly chewed or crushed, your healthcare provider may need to give you additional instructions or consider another formulation.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop persistent or severe digestive symptoms, such as significant abdominal pain, severe constipation, vomiting, or difficulty passing stool.
You should also contact your provider if your phosphate levels remain high despite taking Fosrenol as directed.
Getting the Best Results
For the best phosphate control, take Fosrenol with or immediately after meals, chew or crush the tablets completely, follow your prescribed daily dose, attend dialysis as scheduled, and complete regular blood testing.
Do not change the amount you take without speaking with your healthcare provider.
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