Sevelamer Carbonate
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Renvela, Sevelamer Carbonate
- Brand Names
- Renvela, Sevelamer Carbonate
- Route
- ORAL
- Dosage Form
- TABLET, FILM COATED
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION The active ingredient in sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension 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 counterion. While the counterions differ for the two salts, the polymer itself, the active moiety involved in phosphate-binding, is the same. Sevelamer carbonate is known chemically as poly(allylamine-co-N,N’-diallyl-1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane) carbonate salt. Sevelamer carbonate is hygroscopic, but insoluble in water. The structure is represented in Figure 1. Figure 1: Chemical Structure of Sevelamer Carbonate a, b = number of primary amine groups a + b = 9 c = number of cross-linking groups c = 1 m = large number to indicate extended polymer network Sevelamer Carbonate Powder: Each packet of sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension contains 0.8 g of sevelamer carbonate on an anhydrous basis. The inactive ingredients are mannitol, ferric oxide yellow, povidone k-30, xanthan gum, sodium chloride, sucralose, orange flavor permaseal phs-133147, vanilla flavor 78506-32 and lemon juice flavor phs-221397. str
What Is Sevelamer Carbonate Used For?
1 INDICATIONS & USAGE Sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension is 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 for oral suspension 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 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION
Starting dose of sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension 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 ) 2.1 General Dosing Information Starting Dose for Adult Patients Not Taking a Phosphate Binder. The recommended starting dose of sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension is 0.8 to 1.6 g taken orally with meals based on serum phosphorus level. Table 1 provides recommended starting doses of sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension for adult patients not taking a phosphate binder. Table 1: Starting Dose for Adult Dialysis Patients Not Taking a Phosphate Binder Serum Phosphorus Sevelamer Carbonate for Oral Suspension >5.5 and <7.5 mg/dL 0.8 g three times daily with meals ≥7.5 mg/dL 1.6 g three times daily with meals Dose Titration for Adult Patients Taking Sevelamer Carbonate for Oral Suspension. Titrate the sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension dose by 0.8 g three times per day with meals at two-week intervals as necessary to achieve target serum phosphorus levels. Based on clinical studies, the average prescribed adult daily dose of sevelamer carbonate is approximately 7.2 g per day. The highest daily adult dose of sevelamer carbonate studied was 14 grams in CKD patients on dialysis. Starting Dose for Pediatric Patients Not Taking a Phosphate Binder. The recommended starting dose for pediatric patients 6 years of age and older is 0.8 g to 1.6 g taken three times per day with meals based on the patient’s body surface area (BSA) category; see Table 2. Table 2: Recommended Starting Dosage and Titration Increment Based on Pediatric Patient’s Body Surface Area (m 2 ) BSA (m 2 ) Starting Dose Per Meal/Snack Titration Increases/Decreases Per Dose ≥0.75 to <1.2 0.8 g Titrate by 0.4 g ≥1.2 1.6 g Titrate by 0.8 g Dose Titration for Pediatric Patients Taking Sevelamer Carbonate for Oral Suspension. Titrate the sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension dose as needed to achieve target levels at two-week intervals based on BSA category, as shown in Table 2. Switching from Sevelamer Hydrochloride Tablets. For adult patients switching from sevelamer hydrochloride tablets to sevelamer carbonate tablets or powder, use the same dose in grams. Switching between Sevelamer Carbonate Tablets and Powder. Use the same dose in grams. Switching from Calcium Acetate. Table 3 gives recommended starting doses of sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension based on a patient’s current calcium acetate dose. Table 3: Starting Dose for Dialysis Patients Switching from Calcium Acetate to Sevelamer Carbonate for Oral...Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
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 NorthStar Rx LLC at 1-800-206-7821 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. There are limited clinical trial data on the safety of sevelamer carbonate. However, because it contains the same active ingredient as the hydrochloride salt, the adverse event profiles of the two salts are expected to be similar. In a cross-over study in hemodialysis patients with treatment durations of eight weeks each and no washout, and another cross-over study in hemodialysis patients with treatment durations of four weeks each and no washout between treatment periods, the adverse reactions on sevelamer carbonate powder were similar to those reported for sevelamer hydrochloride. In a parallel design study of sevelamer hydrochloride with treatment duration of 52 weeks, adverse reactions reported for sevelamer hydrochloride (n=99) were similar to those reported for the active-comparator group (n=101). Overall adverse reactions among those treated with sevelamer hydrochloride occurring in >5% of patients included: vomiting (22%), nausea (20%), diarrhea (19%), dyspepsia (16%), abdominal pain (9%), flatulence (8%), and constipation (8%). A total of 27 patients treated with sevelamer and 10 patients treated with comparator withdrew from the study due to adverse reactions. Based on studies of 8 to 52 weeks, the most common reason for withdrawal from sevelamer hydrochloride was gastrointestinal adverse reactions (3% to 16%). In 143 peritoneal dialysis patients studied for 12 weeks using sevelamer hydrochloride, most common adverse reactions were similar to adverse reactions observed in hemodialysis patients. The most frequently occurring treatment emergent serious adverse reaction was peritonitis (8 reactions in 8 patients [8%] in the sevelamer group and 2 reactions in 2 patients [4%] on active control). Thirteen patients (14%) in the sevelamer group and 9 patients (20%) in the active-control group discontinued, mostly for gastrointestinal adverse reactions. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of sevelamer hydrochloride or sevelamer carbonate: hypersensitivity, pruritus, rash, abdominal pain, bleeding gastrointestinal ulcers, colitis, ulceration, necrosis, fecal impaction, and uncommon cases of ileus, intestinal obstruction, and intestinal perforation. Appropriate medical management should be given to patients who develop constipation or have worsening of existing constipation to avoid severe complications.Drug 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 )]. The duration of separation depends upon the absorption characteristics of the medication concomitantly administered, such as the time to reach peak systemic levels and whether the drug is an immediate-release or an extended-release product. Where possible consider monitoring clinical responses and/or blood levels of concomitant drugs that have a narrow therapeutic range. Table 5: Sevelamer Drug Interactions Oral drugs for which sevelamer did not alter the pharmacokinetics when administered concomitantly Digoxin Enalapril Iron Metoprolol Warfarin Oral drugs that have demonstrated interaction with sevelamer and are to be dosed separately from sevelamer carbonate Ciprofloxacin Mycophenolate mofetil Dosing Recommendations Take at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after sevelamer Take at least 2 hours before sevelamer
For oral medication where a reduction in the bioavailability of that medication would have a clinically significant effect on its safety or efficacy, consider separation of the timing of administration and/or monitor clinical responses or blood levels of the concomitant medication. ( 7 ) Sevelamer did not alter the pharmacokinetics of digoxin, enalapril, iron, metoprolol and warfarin. ( 7 ) Sevelamer has demonstrated interaction with ciprofloxacin, mycophenolate mofetil, and therefore, these drugs should be dosed separately from sevelamer carbonate. ( 7 )Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension is contraindicated in patients with bowel obstruction. Sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension is 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 )Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Sevelamer carbonate is not absorbed systemically following oral administration and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug. Clinical Considerations Sevelamer carbonate may decrease serum levels of fat soluble vitamins and folic acid in pregnant women [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )]. Consider supplementation. Data Animal data In pregnant rats given dietary doses of 0.5, 1.5, or 4.5 g/kg/day of sevelamer hydrochloride during organogenesis, reduced or irregular ossification of fetal bones, probably due to a reduced absorption of fat-soluble vitamin D, occurred in mid and high-dose groups (human equivalent doses approximately equal to 3 to 4 times the maximum clinical trial dose of 13 g). In pregnant rabbits given oral doses of 100, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day of sevelamer hydrochloride by gavage during organogenesis, an increase of early resorptions occurred in the high-dose group (human equivalent dose twice the maximum clinical trial dose).
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE In CKD patients on dialysis, the maximum dose studied was 14 grams of sevelamer carbonate and 13 grams of sevelamer hydrochloride. There are no reports of overdosage with sevelamer carbonate or sevelamer hydrochloride in patients. Since sevelamer is not absorbed, the risk of systemic toxicity is low.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Powder: Sevelamer carbonate for oral suspension is supplied as opaque, foil lined, heat sealed, packets containing 0.8 g of sevelamer carbonate on an anhydrous basis, mannitol, ferric oxide yellow, povidone k-30, xanthan gum, sodium chloride, sucralose, orange flavor permaseal phs-133147, vanilla flavor 78506-32 and lemon juice flavor phs-221397 1 Box (NDC 72603-398-02 ) of 90 ct 0.8 g packets (NDC 72603-398-01) Storage: Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F): excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).[See USP controlled room temperature] Protect from moisture
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.