FOSRENOL^® FAQs

1. How do my kidneys work?
   
   
2. What happens when kidneys fail?
   
   
3. What is hyperphosphatemia?
   
   
4. Why is it important to treat hyperphosphatemia?
   
   
5. How is hyperphosphatemia treated?
   
   
6. What is FOSRENOL^® and how does it work?
   
   
7. How is FOSRENOL^® administered and how often should I take it?
   
   
8. How long should I take FOSRENOL^®?
   
   
9. What can I expect when taking FOSRENOL^®?
   
   
10. Who should not take FOSRENOL^®?
    
    
11. Can I take FOSRENOL^® with other medications?
    
    

1. How do my kidneys work?

   
   Your body produces waste products that need to be removed. Kidneys are important for a healthy body because of the work they do to clean your blood. Your kidneys act as a filter, removing the waste products and extra water from your body in the form of urine.
   
   Your kidneys help regulate the levels of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds in your blood in the same way — by filtering out the excess levels into your urine. Another important function of your kidneys is to produce hormones that help control your blood pressure, strengthen your bones, and keep your blood healthy.
   
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2. What happens when kidneys fail?

   
   When kidney function is severely impaired, patients have what is known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). When your kidneys don’t work properly, harmful waste starts to build up in your body. In addition, your blood pressure may rise, your body may hold excess water, and you may feel weak and tired because your body is not producing enough red blood cells. When this happens, you need treatment to replace the work that your kidneys are unable to do or you need a kidney transplant.
   
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3. What is hyperphosphatemia?

   
   Hyperphosphatemia is a condition defined by high phosphate levels in your blood and is common to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although you may not notice any symptoms or feel differently at first, this is a serious condition that can lead to additional problems if left untreated.
   
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4. Why is it important to treat hyperphosphatemia?

   
   When you have problems with your kidneys, phosphorus levels in your blood go up. This increase in phosphorus changes the healthy balance between levels of phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin D in your blood. Controlling phosphorus, calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) is important because high levels of each can often cause serious problems like bone disease and the formation of mineral deposits in certain areas of your body (for example, kidneys, heart and blood vessels, lungs, eyes, joints, and skin).
   
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5. How is hyperphosphatemia treated?

   
   Fortunately, there are treatment options available to help you treat hyperphosphatemia. Since phosphorus may be contained in the food you eat, a healthcare professional will recommend a

   low-phosphorus diet

   . However, because so many foods contain phosphorus, it can be difficult for patients to eat foods low in phosphorus and still get enough protein and calories for a healthy diet. This is why most patients also take phosphate binders in addition to watching their diet to help control their phosphorus levels.
   
   Normally, phosphorus is released in the stomach and quickly absorbed from food in your intestine. Phosphate binders work to bind phosphorus before it’s absorbed, so you must take these drugs whenever you eat. This “binding” is like a magnet sticking to a refrigerator.
   
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6. What is FOSRENOL^® and how does it work?

   
   To help manage your phosphorus levels, your doctor has prescribed a phosphate binder called FOSRENOL^®. This medication is used to treat hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients with ESRD. FOSRENOL^® binds to phosphorus in the stomach, and prevents it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. FOSRENOL^® also helps lower the combination of calcium and phosphorus, the calcium-phosphorus product (Ca x P), a known risk factor for heart disease and other problems.
   
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7. How is FOSRENOL^® administered and how often should I take it?

   
   FOSRENOL^® is a convenient way to control your phosphorus levels because it requires as few as 3 chewable-only tablets per day.* FOSRENOL^® should not be taken on an empty stomach; take during, or immediately after, meals. A chewable-only tablet, FOSRENOL^® be taken without water.
   
   The starting dose of FOSRENOL^® is usually a 250- to 500-mg chewable tablet with each meal, every day. This dosage may be adjusted as your physician finds the right one for you. Most patients require 3 chewable-only tablets per day to control their phosphorus levels.* Your doctor will monitor your phosphorus levels and let you know if it is necessary to change your dose.
   
   Chew tablets completely before swallowing. Intact tablets should not be swallowed.
   
   *Dosing based on three meals per day. Number of meals per day may vary. To achieve certain doses, additional tablets may be required.
   
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8. How long should I take FOSRENOL^®?

   
   Hyperphosphatemia may be a condition that requires long-term treatment. You should take FOSRENOL^® according to your physician’s instructions, to keep your phosphorus levels under control, and discuss your treatment regularly with your physician. FOSRENOL^®  can be effective and generally well tolerated in people who take the medication as prescribed.
   
   Maintenance of reduction of phosphorus levels was observed for up to 3 years in patients treated with FOSRENOL^® in long-term, open label extensions. It is important to continue phosphate binder treatment so your phosphorus doesn’t return to pretreatment levels.
   
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9. What can I expect when taking FOSRENOL^®?

   
   The most common side effects with FOSRENOL^® were nausea and vomiting. These side effects generally went away over time with continued dosing. The most common reasons patients stopped taking FOSRENOL^® in clinical trials were gastrointestinal events (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea).
   
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10. Who should not take FOSRENOL^®?

    
    FOSRENOL^® should not be taken if you are pregnant, nursing or if you are under 18 years of age. FOSRENOL^® has not been studied in children or in patients who are pregnant or nursing. Patients with acute peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or bowel obstruction were not included in FOSRENOL^® clinical studies. Caution should be used in patients with these conditions.
    
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11. Can I take FOSRENOL^® with other medications?

    
    FOSRENOL^® can generally be taken with most medications. Please consult your physician if you are taking other medications. In addition, medications known to interact with antacids should not be taken within 2 hours of taking FOSRENOL^®.
    
    To learn more about hyperphosphatemia and how FOSRENOL^® may help, take a look at the online multimedia presentation and downloadable brochure in our Patient Education section.
    
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