Renagel (Sevelamer) is indicated for the control of serum phosphorus in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. Renagel (Sevelamer) is contraindicated in patients with hypophosphatemia or bowel obstruction In a 52-week study, the most common side effects included vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and dyspepsia. Drug-drug interactions may occur with some medications and should be taken into consideration when instructing patients how to take Renagel (Sevelamer).
Renagel's mechanism of action is to bind phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract and prevent phosphate from being absorbed. Chemically, Renagel (Sevelamer) is a polyamine - a polymer that is loaded with amines. The purpose of the high density of amine groups on the polymer is to provide a large number of positive charges. The positive charges then interact with the very negatively charged phosphate anions, and thus, the phosphate anions are strongly bound to the polymer cations.
Common side effects of Renagel include dyspepsia, peritonitis, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, pruritus, abdominal distension, vomiting, fatigue, anorexia and arthralgia.