Lanthanum carbonate

What it is used for

Lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets are a prescription medicine used in people with end- stage renal disease (ESRD) to lower the amount of phosphate in the blood.

The most important thing to know

Lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets may cause a bowel, blockage, a hole in the bowel, or severe constipation, which can be serious, and sometimes lead to surgery or treatment in a hospital.

• You may have a higher risk of bowel blockage, a hole in the bowel, or severe constipation if you take lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets and have:
  • a history of surgery, ulcers or cancer in the stomach or bowel
  • a history of bowel blockage, or problems resulting in a decreased movement of food through your stomach and bowel (e.g., feeling full quickly after eating or constipation)
  • an infection or inflammation of the stomach/bowel (peritonitis)

Do not swallow lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets whole. Chew tablets completely before swallowing. If you cannot chew tablets completely, you may crush the tablets thoroughly before swallowing or discuss the oral powder formulation with your healthcare provider.

How to take it

• Take lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets to take
• Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed
• Chewable tablets -Do not swallow tablets whole. Chew tablets completely before swallowing. If you cannot chew tablets completely, or if you have tooth disease, you may crush the tablets thoroughly before swallowing or discuss the oral powder formulation with your healthcare provider.
• Take lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets with or right after meals
• If you take an antacid medicine, take the antacid 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets
• If you take medicine for your thyroid (levothyroxine), take the thyroid medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets
• If you take an antibiotic medicine, take the antibiotic 1 hour before or 4 hours after you take lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets

Side effects, and when to stop

The most common side effects of lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• stomach pain

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the side effects of lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Who should not take it

Do not take lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets if you:

• are allergic to lanthanum carbonate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• have blocked bowels
• have severe constipation

Lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets have not been studied in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

What to say before you start

Lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets may not be right for you. Before starting lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• have a history of surgery, ulcers or cancer in the stomach or bowel
• have a history of a bowel blockage, constipation, or problems resulting in a decreased movement of food through your stomach and bowel especially if you also have diabetes
• have ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or an infection or inflammation of the stomach/bowel (peritonitis)
• plan to have an X-ray of your stomach (abdomen)
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or plan to breastfeed. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• antacids
• antibiotics
• thyroid medicine

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Storing it

• Store lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).

Keep lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets to other people, even if they have the same condition. It may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets that is written for healthcare professionals.

For more information call Exelan pharmaceutical,Inc. at 1-866-604-3268 or go to www.Exelan.com