PhosLo (Oral)

Calcium acetate is used to treat hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate in the blood) in patients with end stage kidney disease who are on dialysis.

Calcium acetate works by binding with the phosphate in the food you eat, so that it is removed from the body without being absorbed.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important that your doctor checks your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few months of treatment with this medicine, since your dose may need to be adjusted. This is to ensure that this medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Sometimes, you might have hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and not have any warning signs. You may need to have blood tests on a regular schedule while you are being treated with this medicine to check the levels of calcium and phosphorus in your blood. Keep all appointments your doctor makes for you.

If you have mild hypercalcemia, you may lose your appetite and experience nausea, vomiting, or constipation. If the problem is severe, you may feel confused or extremely excited. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you think you might have severe hypercalcemia.

Do not take other calcium-containing products including dietary supplements and antacids. Your doctor may adjust the amount of calcium-containing foods you eat. Taking too much calcium while you are using this medicine can cause hypercalcemia.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks against the benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare professional about any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

There have not been appropriate studies on how calcium acetate affects children. Its safety and effectiveness for kids have not been established.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the usefulness of calcium acetate. However, older patients are more likely to have liver, kidney, or heart issues, which may require caution and possible dose adjustments for those taking calcium acetate.

Breast Feeding

There are not enough studies to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be taken together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. It is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are significant and may not include all possibilities.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both.

• Baloxavir Marboxil
• Bictegravir
• Digoxin
• Dolutegravir
• Eltrombopag
• Elvitegravir
• Erdafitinib
• Ketoconazole
• Raltegravir
• Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Combining this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best option for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both.

• Chlorothiazide
• Chlortetracycline
• Ciprofloxacin
• Delafloxacin
• Demeclocycline
• Doxycycline
• Enoxacin
• Grepafloxacin
• Levofloxacin
• Levothyroxine
• Lomefloxacin
• Lymecycline
• Methacycline
• Minocycline
• Norfloxacin
• Omadacycline
• Oxytetracycline
• Pefloxacin
• Potassium Phosphate
• Potassium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Potassium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Rolitetracycline
• Sarecycline
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Sparfloxacin
• Strontium Ranelate
• Tetracycline
• Ticlopidine
• Zalcitabine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain foods due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. The following interactions are significant and may not include all possibilities.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may affect how this medicine works. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical problems, especially:

• Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood)—This medicine should not be used in patients with this condition.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• confusion
• constipation
• depression
• dry mouth
• full or partial loss of consciousness
• headache
• incoherent speech
• increased urination
• loss of appetite
• metallic taste
• muscle weakness
• nausea or vomiting
• thirst
• unusual tiredness
• weight loss

Incidence not known

• Swelling

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Diarrhea

Less common

• Itching

Incidence not known

• Dizziness
• weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Eliphos
• PhosLo
• Phoslyra

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Tablet
• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Phosphate Binder

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

It is best to take this medicine with meals.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Follow carefully any diet program your doctor may recommend.

If you are taking other medicines, take them at least 1 hour before or 3 hours after you take calcium acetate oral liquid. If you need help deciding the best times to take your other medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For too much phosphate in the blood:For oral dosage form (solution): Adults—At first, the dose is usually 10 milliliters (mL) with each meal. The dose is adjusted by your doctor depending on how high your blood phosphorus level is. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For oral dosage form (tablets): Adults—2 tablets three times a day with meals. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Throw away any unused oral liquid after 24 months.