Renvela can be an effective treatment for high phosphorus levels, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Tell your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, medications, diet, and any digestive symptoms before starting treatment.
Bowel obstruction
Do not take Renvela if you have a bowel obstruction. A bowel obstruction prevents food, fluid, or stool from moving normally through the intestines and can become a medical emergency.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, persistent vomiting, or an inability to pass stool or gas.
Digestive disorders
Use Renvela cautiously if you have severe constipation, difficulty swallowing, swallowing disorders, major digestive-tract surgery, slow movement of the stomach or intestines, or another serious bowel condition.
Renvela has been associated with uncommon but serious digestive complications, including intestinal blockage, severe constipation, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation, and damage to the intestinal wall. Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you develop persistent constipation, worsening stomach pain, vomiting, abdominal swelling, or blood in your stool.
Difficulty swallowing the tablets
Renvela tablets are relatively large and may become lodged in the throat or esophagus, particularly in people who already have difficulty swallowing.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have swallowing problems. Renvela powder for oral suspension may be a safer or easier option. Seek urgent care if a tablet becomes stuck or you develop choking, chest discomfort, or difficulty breathing.
Medication interactions
Renvela can reduce the absorption of certain oral medications because it binds substances inside the digestive tract. Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about every prescription medication, over-the-counter product, vitamin, and supplement you take.
Some medications may need to be taken at least one hour before or three hours after Renvela. The appropriate timing depends on the medication and how important consistent absorption is. Do not change your medication schedule without guidance from your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Vitamin deficiencies
Renvela may reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as folic acid. People receiving dialysis may already have an increased risk of vitamin deficiencies.
Your healthcare provider may monitor your vitamin levels or recommend a kidney-specific vitamin supplement. Do not take vitamins or minerals without checking with your kidney-care team because some supplements may contain phosphorus, potassium, calcium, or other ingredients that need to be limited.
Low bicarbonate and metabolic acidosis
People with chronic kidney disease may develop low bicarbonate levels, which can contribute to metabolic acidosis. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your bicarbonate level and other blood chemistry results while you take Renvela.
Attend all scheduled blood tests so your healthcare team can monitor your phosphorus, calcium, bicarbonate, and parathyroid hormone levels.
Allergic reactions
Do not take Renvela if you have had an allergic reaction to sevelamer carbonate, sevelamer hydrochloride, or any ingredient in the medication.
Seek emergency medical attention if you develop hives, severe itching, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Renvela is not absorbed significantly into the bloodstream, but it may reduce the absorption of vitamins and nutrients that are important during pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider will determine whether the benefits of treatment outweigh any possible risks and may recommend closer nutritional monitoring.
Children
Renvela may be used in children aged 6 years and older with chronic kidney disease who are receiving dialysis. Its safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 6 years.
Children should receive a dose based on their body size and phosphorus level and should be monitored regularly by a pediatric kidney specialist.
Taking Renvela safely
Take Renvela with meals exactly as prescribed. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Use the powder formulation if directed, and prepare it according to the instructions provided.
Tell your healthcare provider if you miss meals, change your diet, have trouble swallowing, or develop ongoing constipation. Do not stop taking Renvela or adjust your dose without medical guidance, even if you feel well, because high phosphorus often causes no noticeable symptoms.
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