sevelamer hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Phosphate binder
Licensed use
High blood phosphate in adults receiving haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
Administration
Take with meals and swallow the tablet whole
Absorption
Acts in the digestive tract and is not absorbed into the bloodstream
What is sevelamer hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed as part of wider renal care.
Control of hyperphosphataemia in adults receiving haemodialysis.
Control of hyperphosphataemia in adults receiving peritoneal dialysis.
It may be used alongside prescribed dietary measures, calcium or vitamin D treatment where clinically appropriate.
How does sevelamer hydrochloride work?
Sevelamer hydrochloride is a polymer that remains in the gut. Its charged amine groups bind phosphate from food, reducing phosphate absorption and allowing bound phosphate to leave in the stool. It contains neither calcium nor metal.
sevelamer hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 800 mg
How to take sevelamer hydrochloride
Follow the renal team's instructions and prescribed diet.
Take the tablets with meals so they can bind phosphate from food.
Swallow tablets whole with water; do not crush, chew or break them.
Tell the prescriber if swallowing tablets is difficult.
Check with a pharmacist before starting another oral medicine because administration may need separating.
sevelamer hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion or wind
- Upper abdominal pain
- Constipation
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe constipation or symptoms of bowel obstruction
- Severe abdominal pain, tenderness or swelling
- Blood in the stool or gastrointestinal bleeding
- Bowel inflammation, ulceration, tissue damage or perforation
- Hypersensitivity reaction
sevelamer hydrochloride in pregnancy
Safety during pregnancy has not been established. Use requires specialist assessment that balances maternal need against uncertainty for the pregnancy; vitamin and nutritional monitoring may also need review.
sevelamer hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Safety during breastfeeding has not been established. Although sevelamer is not absorbed from the gut, treatment should be reviewed by the renal and maternity teams to balance maternal need and potential infant risk.
sevelamer hydrochloride interactions
Sevelamer can bind some oral medicines or otherwise alter their clinical effect. Review the complete medicines list and use separation or monitoring where appropriate.
Ciprofloxacin
Sevelamer substantially reduces ciprofloxacin exposure, so they should not be taken simultaneously.
Levothyroxine
Thyroid-stimulating hormone may rise; closer thyroid-function monitoring is recommended.
Ciclosporin, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil
Blood concentrations may fall, requiring monitoring during combined use and after sevelamer is stopped.
Common questions about sevelamer hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why must sevelamer hydrochloride be taken with food?
It works by binding phosphate in food within the digestive tract; taking it away from food reduces this opportunity.
Can sevelamer hydrochloride tablets be crushed or chewed?
No. The selected tablets must be swallowed whole and should not be crushed, chewed or broken.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.