The names (and active ingredients) of Renagel and Renvela are almost identical and can be extremely confusing. These medications both treat high phosphate levels, but they have varying insurance coverage, and can’t be substituted for one another without your prescriber’s approval.

Is Renagel and Renvela the same?

Renvela is a next-generation version of Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride) and while both are calcium-free, metal-free, nonabsorbed phosphate binders proven effective in controlling serum phosphorus levels in patients with CKD, Renvela offers all of the advantages of Renagel with the benefit of a carbonate buffer.

Is there a generic for Renagel?

Generic Name: sevelamer HCl Sevelamer is used to lower high blood phosphorus (phosphate) levels in patients who are on dialysis due to severe kidney disease.

Is sevelamer same as Renvela?

Sevelamer carbonate—the authorized generic identical to Renvela. Winthrop US is a Sanofi company dedicated to delivering brand-equal generics of Sanofi products, including Renvela.

Can PhosLo and Renvela be taken together?

Interactions between your drugs No interactions were found between PhosLo and Renvela. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Can you cut Renvela in half?

The sevelamer carbonate (Renvela) tablet is so large; can I cut it in half? Don’t cut, crush, chew, or break the medication. Swallow the tablet whole or else it won’t work properly.

Is Renagel the same as sevelamer?

More than likely only Renagel or Renvela will be covered by your insurance since the cost is similar and sevelamer hydrochloride and sevelamer carbonate are almost identical in efficacy. The main differences are a result of their side effect profiles.

Can renvela be taken without food?

Renvela is a type of medicine known as a phosphate binder. It should be taken three times a day with meals to help control phosphorus levels in your body. Renvela binds to (or holds on to) phosphorus in the foods you eat so your body doesn’t absorb as much.

Why do dialysis patients take Renvela?

Renvela is an effective first-line monotherapy for controlling serum phosphorus in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. Controlling serum phosphorus is an important element in the care of dialysis patients.

Is PhosLo same as Renvela?

Phosphate-binding therapy with calcium acetate (PhosLo, Eliphos) is as effective as sevelamer (Renagel, Renvela) in reducing serum phosphate levels. Hypercalcemia occurs more frequently with calcium acetate (PhosLo, Eliphos) in a small portion of patients.

Article first time published on

Does Renagel cause constipation?

SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, diarrhea, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, cough, gas, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

How much does Renagel cost?

The most common version of Renagel is covered by 82% of insurance plans at a co-pay of $60.00-$75.00, however, some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower. The lowest GoodRx price for the most common version of generic Renagel is around $149.50, 72% off the average retail price of $534.82.

What is Renagel tablets used for?

Renagel is used to control the levels of phosphate in the blood of adult kidney failure patients on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis treatment. Adult patients whose kidneys have failed and who are undergoing haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis are not able to control the level of serum phosphate in their blood.

Does PhosLo increase calcium?

The most common side effects of Phoslo include: increased calcium in the blood, diarrhea, and. nausea.

Why is PhosLo given with meals?

Calcium acetate, when taken with meals, combines with phosphate in food to form calcium phosphate, which is poorly absorbed into the body and is excreted in the feces. Binding phosphate in the intestines reduces absorption of phosphate into the body.

What is PhosLo used for?

PhosLo is used to control phosphate levels to keep them from getting too high in people with kidney failure who are on dialysis.

Does sevelamer interact with warfarin?

Sevelamer hydrochloride (Renagel), a nonabsorbed phosphate-binding polymer, does not interfere with digoxin or warfarin pharmacokinetics.

What are sevelamer hydrochloride tablets for?

Sevelamer is used to control high blood levels of phosphorus in people with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis (medical treatment to clean the blood when the kidneys are not working properly). Sevelamer is in a class of medications called phosphate binders.

What is sevelamer hydrochloride used to treat?

Sevelamer is used to treat hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate in the blood) in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. This product is available in the following dosage forms: Powder for Suspension.

Can Renagel be crushed?

Because the contents of Renagel expand in water, tablets should be swallowed intact and should not be crushed, chewed, broken into pieces, or taken apart prior to administration.

Is it OK to crush Renvela?

Swallow Renvela tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break into pieces. If you are having difficulty swallowing Renvela tablets, speak to you doctor. You may be prescribed Renvela powder as an alternative.

Can you dissolve Renvela?

Patients should be instructed to stir the mixture vigorously (it does not dissolve) and drink the entire preparation within 30 minutes and resuspend the preparation right before drinking. Based on clinical studies, the average prescribed daily dose of sevelamer carbonate is approximately 7.2 g per day.

Does renvela cause gas?

SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, diarrhea, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, cough, gas, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Does amlodipine get dialyzed out?

Amlodipine is essentially not dialysable. These findings do not indicate a need for dose adjustment in renal failure patients on haemodialysis.

Are eggs high in phosphorus?

Dairy, Dairy Substitutes and Egg WhitesPhosphorus ContentEgg whites, pasteurized15 mg

Is Velphoro and Renvela the same?

Renvela (Sevelamer Carbonate) Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) is a great phosphate binder for people with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. Similar medications need up to 4 pills per meal to work.

Does renvela contain iron?

Renvela® Tablets: Each film-coated tablet of Renvela contains 800 mg of sevelamer carbonate on an anhydrous basis. The inactive ingredients are hypromellose, diacetylated monoglycerides, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium chloride and zinc stearate. The tablet imprint contains iron oxide black ink.

Can renvela cause itching?

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

What is the best phosphate binder?

Calcium carbonate is the most commonly used phosphate binder, but clinicians are increasingly prescribing the more expensive, non-calcium-based phosphate binders, particularly sevelamer.

What is a calcium binder?

The next phosphate binders to be introduced were the calcium-containing binders, such as calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. These drugs, which are still used extensively, have the advantage of inhibiting phosphate absorption while providing the patient with a required mineral, calcium.

Can I take calcium acetate and sevelamer together?

The combination of sevelamer hydrochloride and CaCO3 is a suitable regimen for hyperphosphatemia treatment in HD patients because it avoids both the hypercalcemia of CaCO3 and the adverse effects of sevelamer hydrochloride when each is used as single-drug therapy.