What is this medication for?

Sevelamer is a phosphate binder that helps to reduce the absorption of phosphate from food. It is commonly prescribed to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who have high phosphate levels in the blood. Lowering the phosphate levels in the body can help to prevent the progression of bone disorders and other issues from kidney disease.

How should I take/use this medication?

• Take this medication as prescribed by your healthcare professional.
  

• Take the medication with food. Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush or chew the tablet.

• Do not stop your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.

• It is important to follow any diet plans prescribed by your doctor.

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

• If you forget to take a dose, do it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any other ingredients in this medication

• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies

• You have difficulty swallowing

• You have any bowel obstruction conditions

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

The side effects for Sevelamer are usually mild and generally well tolerated. They include the following:

• Stomach discomfort

  • Abdominal pain

  • Nausea, vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Constipation

  • Bloating

These symptoms may happen but they should get better over time. Check with your healthcare professional if your symptoms do not get better or if they become worse.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

If you develop signs of gastrointestinal obstruction or bleeding such as:

• Black, tarry or bloody stools

• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds

• Severe bloating

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue

• Difficulty in breathing

• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

If you are taking Ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic) or Mycophenolate mofetil, you will need to take them 2 hours before taking Sevelamer.

Additionally, please inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications, as they may interact with Sevelamer:

• Cyclosporine

• Levothyroxine

• Tacrolimus

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from light. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Discard the medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Apr 2023