Key takeaways
Sevelamer hydrochloride (Renagel) and lanthanum (Fosrenol) are both phosphate binders used to lower phosphorus levels in people with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. While both medications need to be taken with meals to work effectively, they have some differences. Sevelamer hydrochloride is only available in tablet form and must be swallowed whole, which can be challenging if you have trouble swallowing. In contrast, lanthanum offers more flexibility as it comes in both tablet and powder forms, and the tablets need to be crushed or chewed before taking your dose. Lanthanum can also interfere with other medications, requiring careful timing when taking other drugs. Sevelamer hydrochloride and lanthanum are available as a lower-cost generic, but lanthanum generally tends to be more expensive. Both medications can cause digestive issues such as nausea and vomiting. Additionally, lanthanum can also show up on abdominal X-rays, which is something to keep in mind if you have an abdominal X-ray done. This is not a concern with sevelamer hydrochloride.
