lanthanum carbonate hydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Non-calcium phosphate binder
Usual role
Controls raised blood phosphate in adults with chronic kidney disease
With food
Take with or immediately after food so it can bind dietary phosphate
Chewable tablets
Chew completely; do not swallow whole
What is lanthanum carbonate hydrate used for?
Licensed uses in adults include:
Control of hyperphosphataemia in chronic renal failure treated with haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
Control of hyperphosphataemia in chronic kidney disease without dialysis when serum phosphate is at least 1.78 mmol/L and a low-phosphate diet alone is insufficient.
How does lanthanum carbonate hydrate work?
In the acidic stomach, lanthanum binds phosphate from food and forms insoluble lanthanum phosphate. This remains mainly in the gut and leaves in the stools, reducing phosphate absorption into the blood.
lanthanum carbonate hydrate preparations and strengths
Chewable tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 500 mg, 750 mg, 1000 mg
How to take lanthanum carbonate hydrate
Use the formulation exactly as directed by the renal team and take it with food or immediately afterwards.
Chewable tablets must be chewed completely. They may be crushed to aid chewing but must not be swallowed whole.
Mix oral powder with a small amount of soft food and consume immediately. Do not dissolve it in liquid or store the mixture.
Continue the recommended low-phosphate diet.
lanthanum carbonate hydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Indigestion or flatulence
- Low blood calcium
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe constipation, abdominal pain or distension, persistent vomiting, or inability to pass stool or wind may indicate bowel obstruction.
- Severe or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms require prompt medical assessment.
- Hives, facial or throat swelling, or breathing difficulty require emergency help.
lanthanum carbonate hydrate in pregnancy
Adequate human pregnancy data are unavailable, and UK product information does not recommend lanthanum during pregnancy. Treatment should be reviewed by the renal and maternity teams rather than stopped without advice.
lanthanum carbonate hydrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether lanthanum enters human milk. A specialist should weigh the benefit of breastfeeding against the mother's need for treatment.
lanthanum carbonate hydrate interactions
Lanthanum can bind other medicines or alter their absorption. Ask a pharmacist how to separate them.
Ciprofloxacin and other oral fluoroquinolones
Lanthanum can substantially reduce antibiotic absorption, so they must not be taken together.
Tetracycline antibiotics, including doxycycline
Binding in the gut may reduce antibiotic absorption; separate administration is recommended.
Common questions about lanthanum carbonate hydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is lanthanum carbonate hydrate used for?
It controls raised blood phosphate in adults with chronic kidney disease, including appropriate patients receiving dialysis.
Why must it be taken with food?
It needs to meet phosphate from food in the gut; taking it away from food greatly reduces its opportunity to work.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.