What is this medication for?
Lanthanum is used as a phosphate binder to control high phosphate levels in patients with kidney disease when diet restriction alone is insufficient. It works by binding to phosphate found in food, preventing phosphate from being absorbed through the intestinal wall.
How should I take or use this medication?
- Take this medication as instructed by your healthcare professional.
- Chew the tablet completely and do not swallow whole. This is because unchewed or incompletely chewed tablets may cause serious digestive issues
- Tablet may be crushed to aid in chewing
- Take this medicine either together with, or right after meals to maximize the medicine’s effect of binding phosphate in food
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take 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 when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients found in the medication
- You are taking any other medications, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- You have liver or bowel problems
It is important to undergo specific blood tests as advised by your healthcare professional to ensure your calcium, phosphate and parathyroid levels are within range.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain, stomach upset or diarrhoea
- Headaches
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
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
If you experience severe bloating, constipation or stomach pain, contact your healthcare professional immediately as these may be early signs of intestinal blockage.
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
How do I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin
Disclaimer
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 (NHG Health, 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.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore