Lanthanum (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed
Lanthanum is used to reduce blood levels of phosphate in patients with kidney disease. High levels of phosphate in the blood can cause bone problems. Lanthanum is in a class of medications called phosphate binders. It works by preventing absorption of phosphate from food in the stomach.

How this medication should be used
Lanthanum comes as a chewable tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day with or immediately after meals. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lanthanum exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Chew the tablets completely before swallowing; do not swallow the tablets whole.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of lanthanum and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 2 to 3 weeks.

Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions
Before taking lanthanum:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lanthanum or any other medications.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
 * if you are taking cinoxacin (Cinobac) (no longer available in the US); ciprofloxacin (Cipro); dicumarol; digoxin (Lanoxin);enoxacin (Penetrex) (no longer available in the US); gatifloxacin (Tequin); indomethacin (Indocin); iron salts; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); ketoconazole (Nizoral); lomefloxacin (Maxaquin); moxifloxacin (Avelox); nalidixic acid (NegGram) (no longer available in the US); norfloxacin (Noroxin); ofloxacin (Floxin); salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); sparfloxacin (Zagam); tetracycline antibiotics such as demeclocyline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin), and tetracycline (Sumycin); or trovafloxacin and alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan) (no longer available in the US), take them 2 hours before or after lanthanum.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or bowel obstruction.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lanthanum, call your doctor.

Special dietary instructions
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects
Lanthanum may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * upset stomach
 * vomiting
 * stomach pain
 * diarrhea
 * constipation
 * problems with the dialysis graft
 * headache
 * dizziness
 * blurred vision

Lanthanum may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to lanthanum.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

 * Fosrenol®