Indication
Sevelamer Carbonate is indicated for the control of hyperphosphataemia in adult patients receiving haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Sevelamer Carbonate is also indicated for the control of hyperphosphataemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis with serum phosphorus 1.78 mmol/l. Sevelamer Carbonate should be used within the context of a multiple therapeutic approach, which could include calcium supplement, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 or one of its analogues to control the development of renal bone disease.
Pharmacology
Sevelamer carbonate, a non-absorbed phosphate binding crosslinked polymer, free of metal and calcium. It contains multiple amines separated by one carbon from the polymer?ÿbackbone. These amines exist in a protonated form in the intestine and interact with phosphate molecules through ionic and?ÿhydrogen?ÿbonding. By binding phosphate in the?ÿgastrointestinal tract?ÿand decreasing absorption, sevelamer carbonate lowers the phosphate concentration in the serum (serum?ÿphosphorus).
Dosage
Starting dose: The recommended starting dose of Sevelamer Carbonate is 2.4 g (Three Sevelamer 800 mg tablets or Three Sevelamer 800 mg sachets of powder for oral suspension) or 4.8 g (Six Sevelamer 800 mg tablets or Six Sevelamer 800 mg sachets of powder for oral suspension) per day based on clinical needs and serum phosphorus level. Sevelamer Carbonate tablet or suspension must be taken three times per day with meals. For patients previously on phosphate binders (Sevelamer Hydrochloride or calcium based), Sevelamer Carbonate should be given on a gram for gram basis with monitoring of serum phosphorus levels to ensure optimal daily doses. Titration and Maintenance: Serum phosphorus levels must be monitored and the dose of Sevelamer Carbonate titrated every 2-4 weeks until an acceptable serum phosphorus level is reached, with regular monitoring thereafter. Patients taking Sevelamer Carbonate should adhere to their prescribed diets. In clinical practice, treatment will be continuous based on the need to control serum phosphorus levels and the daily dose is expected to be an average of approximately 6 g per day. Paediatric population: The safety and efficacy of Sevelamer Carbonate has not been established in children below the age of 18 years. Sevelamer Carbonate is not recommended in children below the age of 18 years.
Interaction
Drug interactions: Interaction studies have not been conducted in patients on dialysis. In interaction studies in healthy volunteers, Sevelamer Hydrochloride, which contains the same active moiety as Sevelamer Carbonate, decreased the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin by approximately 50% when co-administered with Sevelamer Hydrochloride in a single dose study. Consequently, Sevelamer Carbonate should not be taken simultaneously with ciprofloxacin. Reduced levels of ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus have been reported in transplant patients when co-administered with Sevelamer Hydrochloride without any clinical consequences (i.e graft rejection). The possibility of an interaction cannot be excluded and a close monitoring of blood concentrations of ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus should be considered during the use of combination and after its withdrawal. Very rare cases of hypothyroidism have been reported in patients co-administered Sevelamer Hydrochloride, which contains the same active moiety as Sevelamer Carbonate, and levothyroxine. Closer monitoring of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels is therefore recommended in patients receiving Sevelamer Carbonate and levothyroxine. Patients taking anti-arrhythmic medicinal products for the control of arrhythmias and anti-seizure medicinal products for the control of seizure disorders were excluded from clinical trials. Caution should be exercised when prescribing Sevelamer Carbonate to patients also taking these medicinal products. In interaction studies in healthy volunteers, Sevelamer Hydrochloride, which contains the same active moiety as Sevelamer Carbonate, had no effect on the bioavailability of digoxin, warfarin, enalapril or metoprolol. Sevelamer Carbonate is not absorbed and may affect the bioavailability of other medicinal products. When administering any medicinal product where a reduction in the bioavailability could have a clinically significant effect on safety or efficacy, the medicinal product should be administered at least one hour before or three hours after Sevelamer Carbonate, or the physician should consider monitoring blood levels.
Contradiction
Sevelamer Carbonate is contraindicated in patients with bowel obstruction. Sevelamer Carbonate is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to sevelamer carbonate, sevelamer hydrochloride, or to any of the excipients.
Side Effect
Pregnancy
Sevelamer carbonate is not absorbed systemically following oral administration and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug. Clinical Considerations Sevelamer carbonate may decrease serum levels of fat soluble vitamins and folic acid in pregnant women.Sevelamer carbonate is not absorbed systemically by the mother following oral administration, and breastfeeding is not expected to result in exposure of the child to Sevelamer carbonate. Clinical Considerations Sevelamer carbonate may decrease serum levels of fat soluble vitamins and folic acid in pregnant women.
Precaution
Overdose
In CKD patients on?ÿdialysis, the maximum dose studied was 14 grams of sevelamer carbonate and 13 grams of sevelamer hydrochloride. There are no reports of overdosage with sevelamer carbonate or sevelamer hydrochloride in patients. Since sevelamer is not absorbed, the risk of systemic toxicity is low.
Storage
Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light.