Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate)

Phosphate Binder Agents Oral Powder In Packet (Ea); Oral Tablet,Chewable

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Lanthanum carbonate is a phosphate binder used to reduce the intestinal absorption of phosphates.

Lanthanum is a naturally occurring rare earth element. The carbonate salt of lanthanum is practically insoluble in water but dissociates in the acidic environment of the upper GI tract to release trivalent lanthanum ions, which bind dietary phosphates released during digestion, thereby forming highly insoluble lanthanum phosphate complexes. Consequently, phosphate absorption, serum phosphorus concentrations, and serum calcium times phosphorus product (Ca x P) are reduced.

Lanthanum ions have a high affinity for phosphate; in vitro studies indicate that when lanthanum is present at pH 3-5 (pH corresponding to that of gastric fluid) in twofold molar excess to phosphates, the drug binds about 97% of available phosphates.

Lanthanum is minimally absorbed from the GI tract following oral administration; bioavailability is less than 0.002%. In patients receiving therapeutic dosages of lanthanum for up to 2 years, mean plasma concentrations of the drug remained low (i.e., 1.1 ng/mL or less). Within the recommended dosage range, plasma lanthanum concentrations increased minimally with increasing dosages of the drug.

Information regarding the mass balance of lanthanum in humans after oral administration is not available. Lanthanum does not appear to cross the blood-brain barrier in animals. In animals, most (94-99%) of an oral lanthanum dose is eliminated in the feces, mainly as unabsorbed drug; the small amount of lanthanum that is systemically absorbed is eliminated in the feces, mostly via biliary excretion.

In healthy individuals given lanthanum chloride IV (formulation not commercially available in the US), renal clearance accounted for less than 2% of total plasma clearance of the drug. In lanthanum-treated patients with end-stage renal disease, no quantifiable amounts of lanthanum were present in the dialysate.

USES: Lanthanum is used to lower high blood phosphate levels in people who are on dialysis due to severe kidney disease. Dialysis removes some phosphate from your blood, but it is difficult to remove enough to keep your phosphate levels balanced. Decreasing blood phosphate levels can help keep your bones strong, prevent unsafe buildup of minerals in your body, and may decrease the risk of heart disease and strokes that can result from high phosphate levels.

Lanthanum is a natural mineral that works by binding to phosphate in the foods you eat. The phosphate then passes out of your body in your stool.

Generic name: lanthanum carbonate
Pronunciation: (LAN-tha-num KAR-bo-nate)
Drug class: Phosphate Binder Agents
Therapeutic class: Genitourinary Therapy

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Fosrenol:

  • Renal Osteodystrophy With Hyperphosphatemia

Also known as: Renal Osteodystrophy With Hyperphospheremia.

Dosing

Dosage of lanthanum carbonate is expressed in terms of lanthanum.

For the reduction of serum phosphorus in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the recommended initial lanthanum dosage is 750 mg to 1.5 g daily.

Dosage should be adjusted at 2- to 3-week intervals until an acceptable serum phosphorus concentration is achieved. Serum phosphorus concentrations should be monitored as needed during dosage titration and regularly thereafter. In clinical studies in patients with ESRD, dosage generally was titrated in increments of 750 mg daily, and most patients required a dosage of 1.5-3 g daily to reduce serum phosphorus concentrations to less than 6 mg/dL; dosages up to 3.75 g daily were evaluated.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

No known contraindications.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects reported in 5% or more of patients receiving lanthanum carbonate and more frequently than with placebo include nausea, vomiting, dialysis graft occlusion, and abdominal pain .

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Renal osteodystrophy with hyperphosphatemia
N25.0ICD10CMRenal osteodystrophy

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data