Overview
11 DESCRIPTION The active ingredient in sevelamer carbonate tablet is sevelamer carbonate, a polymeric amine that binds phosphate and is meant for oral administration. It was developed as a pharmaceutical alternative to sevelamer hydrochloride. Sevelamer carbonate is an anion exchange resin, with the same polymeric structure as sevelamer hydrochloride, in which carbonate replaces chloride as the...
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Sevelamer carbonate tablet contains sevelamer carbonate, a non-absorbed phosphate-binding cross-linked polymer, free of metal and calcium. It contains multiple amines separated by one carbon from the polymer backbone. These amines exist in a protonated form in the intestine and interact with phosphate molecules through ionic and hydrogen bonding. By binding phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract and decreasing absorption, sevelamer carbonate lowers the phosphate concentration in the serum (serum phosphorus). 12.2 Pharmacodynamics In addition to effects on serum phosphorus levels, sevelamer hydrochloride has been shown to bind bile acids in vitro and in vivo in experimental animal models.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Sevelamer carbonate tablets are indicated for the control of serum phosphorus in adults and children 6 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. Sevelamer carbonate tablet is a phosphate binder indicated for the control of serum phosphorus in adults and children 6 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. (1 )
Common Doses
- 7.5 mg
- 667 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Starting dose of sevelamer carbonate tablet is 0.8 or 1.6 grams administered orally three times per day with meals based on serum phosphorus levels for adult patients and based on body surface area (BSA) category for pediatric patients ( 2.1 ) Titrate by 0.8 grams per meal in two week intervals for adult patients as needed to obtain serum phosphorus target. ( 2.1 ) Titrate based on BSA category for pediatric patients in two week intervals for 6 weeks and then every 4 weeks as needed to obtain serum phosphorus target. ( 2.1 ) 2.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Sevelamer carbonate tablets are contraindicated in patients with bowel obstruction. Sevelamer carbonate tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to sevelamer carbonate, sevelamer hydrochloride, or to any of the excipients. Bowel obstruction. ( 4 ) Known hypersensitivity to sevelamer carbonate,sevelamer hydrochloride, or to any of the excipients. ( 4 )
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most of the safety experience is with sevelamer carbonate tablets and sevelamer hydrochloride. In long-term studies with sevelamer hydrochloride, which contains the same active moiety as sevelamer carbonate, the most common adverse events included: vomiting (22%), nausea (20%), diarrhea (19%), dyspepsia (16%), abdominal pain (9%), flatulence (8%) and constipation (8%). ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. at 1-888-375-3784 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS There are no empirical data on avoiding drug interactions between sevelamer carbonate and most concomitant oral drugs. For oral medication where a reduction in the bioavailability of that medication would have a clinically significant effect on its safety or efficacy (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, levothyroxine), consider separation of the timing of the administration of the two drugs [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].