If you are suffering from kidney disease , your doctor has prescribed you various medications, right? Maybe for blood pressure, water retention, etc. So in the meantime, you have come across a special pill that is a little big and chewable. You may be thinking, "Why do you have to chew this?" "What does this actually do?". Today, we are going to talk about this medicine called Lanthanum Carbonate. We will talk about it very simply, in a way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Lanthanum Carbonate?
It's very simple. This is a medicine that is given to control the amount of extra phosphorus that accumulates in the body of people with kidney disease . Now you may be thinking, "What is this phosphorus?" Phosphorus is a mineral that is essential for the health of our bones and teeth. However, when our kidneys are not working properly, they are unable to excrete the extra phosphorus in the body through urine . Then the phosphorus level in the blood increases unnecessarily.
This increase in phosphorus levels in the blood can lead to weak bones, itchy skin , and over time , heart disease and blood vessel problems.
Doctors prescribe this medicine to prevent that danger. What this does is stop the absorption of phosphorus from the food we eat into the body from the intestines. Like a magnet, this medicine captures phosphorus in the intestines and expels it with feces . In medical terms, we call this class of medicines 'phosphate binders' .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
This is very important. Giving your doctor a complete account of your health condition will help him or her provide you with the most appropriate and safest treatment. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular.
- Bowel problems: If you have had a bowel blockage before, or if you have frequent constipation .
- Stomach surgery or bleeding: If you have previously undergone stomach surgery or have had intestinal bleeding.
- Other medical conditions: Crohn's disease (If you have inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis .
- X-ray tests: If you are going to have an abdominal X-ray test soon, tell your doctor about it, as this medicine may affect it.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to this lanthanum carbonate or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: It is essential to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
How to use the medicine correctly?
This is the most important part. To get the full benefit of the medicine, you need to use it correctly.
1. Never swallow: This is the first thing to remember. It is not a good idea to swallow this pill whole.
2. Chew or crush the pill: The pill should be chewed thoroughly and crushed. If it is difficult to chew, you can also crush it by placing it on something clean and drinking it. The reason is that when the pill is crushed, it binds well with the phosphorus in the food and stops it from being absorbed by the body.
3. Take with food: This medicine should definitely be taken with food or immediately after eating. Taking it on an empty stomach will not help. This is because its job is to absorb the phosphorus in the food.
4. Take it on time: Take your medicine every day at the time prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop treatment midway.
5. Keep a gap with other medications: Some medications don't work as well when taken with this one. So, ask your doctor clearly about the times you should take your other medications. He may tell you to take them an hour or two before or after.
What if I suddenly take too much medicine?
If you accidentally take too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I forget to take my medicine?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, it is within an hour or two), skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
It is very important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, as some medications may react with lanthanum carbonate and reduce the effectiveness of those medications or this medication.
| Drug category | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Some antibiotics | The effectiveness of medications such as ampicillin, quinolones, and tetracyclines may be reduced. |
| Thyroid hormone medication | Medications such as levothyroxine may be reduced in absorption by the body. |
| Medication for high cholesterol | Medications such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin may interact. |
| Some medications for blood pressure or heart disease | Ask your doctor about these as they may affect their effectiveness. |
Remember, this list is not complete. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements.
What are the possible side effects of taking the medicine?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. But most people don't. Let's see what these side effects are.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious conditions that require immediate notification to the doctor | |
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Bowel blockage | Severe stomach pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting. |
| Usually nothing to worry about, but if it persists, here are some things to tell your doctor: | |
| Stomach ache | A slight stomach upset may occur. |
| Nausea and vomiting | It is most common in the early stages of starting the medication. |
| Diarrhea | Some people may have loose stools. |
How to take care of the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius), in a dry place away from moisture . It is not recommended to keep it in the bathroom.
- Discard expired medication without using it.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else.
Take-Home Message
- Lanthanum Carbonate is a special medicine given to kidney patients to control phosphorus in the body.
- Never swallow this pill whole. It must be chewed or crushed thoroughly and taken with food .
- Give your doctor a complete description of all other medications you take and any other illnesses you have.
- If you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face, difficulty breathing) or severe stomach pain, seek medical advice immediately.
- It is very important for your well-being to take your medication exactly as your doctor tells you, and to go to clinics and have blood tests on time.
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