Lanthanum
About
Lanthanum belongs to a group of medications called 'phosphate binder' (which decreases the level of phosphate in the body). It is primarily used to control high phosphate levels in the body (hyperphosphataemia) in adult patients, who are on dialysis (a blood clearance technique), patients undergoing hemodialysis (using a blood filtration machine) and patients with lifelong kidney disease. It is also used for the treatment of bone disease.
Lanthanum contains 'Lanthanum' which reduces the absorption of phosphate by binding phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract and decreasing absorption. It makes insoluble complexes in the GI tract that passes through the body without any absorption. It effectively reduces excess phosphate levels in the blood and prevents the unsafe build-up of phosphate in your body, helps to keep your bones strong and decreases the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Take Lanthanum as prescribed by your doctor. You are suggested to take $ame as long as your doctor has prescribed it after checking your medical condition. A person taking Lanthanum often experiences side effects that include vomiting, upper abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, stomach ache, indigestion, and flatulence. Although, not every person faces the side effects of Lanthanum and even some of the unpleasant effects of Lanthanum do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
The use of Lanthanum is restricted in persons who have a known history of allergic to any of the ingredients present in this medicine, have low levels of phosphate in their blood, bowel obstruction. Lanthanum contains lactose (milk sugar). If you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Lanthanum. Tell your doctor if you are facing swallowing problems, motility (movement) in your stomach and bowel, being sick frequently, active inflammation of the bowel, have undergone major surgery on your stomach or bowel, or have serious inflammatory bowel disease. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Lanthanum.
Uses of Lanthanum
Medicinal Benefits
Lanthanum is a natural mineral that acts by binding with the phosphate present in foods that a person eats. It works by binding phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract and decreases its absorption. Thus, lowers the phosphate concentration in the body. It effectively reduces excess phosphate levels in the blood and prevents the unsafe buildup of phosphate in your body, helps to keep your bones strong and decreases the risk of heart disease and strokes. Lanthanum controls hyperphosphataemia (high blood phosphate levels) in adult patients on dialysis (a blood clearance technique), patients undergoing hemodialysis (using a blood filtration machine) or peritoneal dialysis (where the fluid is pumped into the abdomen and an internal body membrane filters the blood) and patients with chronic kidney disease.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Lanthanum
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Severe stomach pain, bloating or tenderness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
You should avoid taking Lanthanum if you are allergic to Lanthanum. Speak to your doctor if you have swallowing disorders, digestive tract surgery or severe constipation, have undergone major surgery on your stomach or bowel, serious inflammatory bowel disease. It should be used with caution if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Lanthanum should not be recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Lanthanum as it might cause unpleasant side effects. The safety and effectiveness in children less than 6 years of age have not been established, so Lanthanum should not be given to them. Lanthanum contains lactose (milk sugar). If you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Lanthanum. Regular monitoring of serum phosphate levels, vitamin D, A, E, K, and folic acid is advised while taking Lanthanum.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Lanthanum interact with antibiotics (ciprofloxacin), immunosuppressive agents (mycophenolate), thyroid medications (levothyroxine) and medication used to treat bladder cancer (erdafitinib).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid taking high-phosphate additives and alcohol as this makes it harder for your body to absorb Lanthanum and increases side effects. Using Lanthanum together with multivitamins with minerals may decrease the effects of multivitamins with minerals. So, multivitamins with minerals should be administered at least 4 hours before Lanthanum.
Drug-Disease Interaction: The use of Lanthanum is restricted in people with hypophosphatemia (low phosphate level in blood), bowel obstruction and perforation and severe liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Lanthanum to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionLanthanum is Category C pregnancy medicine. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe you Lanthanum only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionThe safety of Lanthanum has not been established in breastfeeding women. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will decide whether Lanthanum can be given to breast-feeding mothers or not.
Driving
safe if prescribedLanthanum has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or operate any machinery or vehicles.
Liver
cautionLanthanum should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionLanthanum should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionFor children, suspensions containing the contents of Lanthanum are available. The dose needs to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist only. Lanthanum is not recommended for children younger than 6 years old.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take fresh fruits, vegetables, rice, milk, un-enriched, corn and rice cereals and soda without phosphate additives in your regular diet.
- Avoid or limit high phosphorus addictive foods (processed meats, instant puddings, sauces, spreadable cheeses and beverage products).
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Lanthanum as it can make you dehydrated and may increase the side effects.
- Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. This will help you clear out the extra phosphate, and will help you overcome some.
- Lanthanum is preferably taken with meals as it can bind to dietary phosphate and prevents its absorption into the bloodstream. Drink it with a full glass of water.
Special Advise
- Please regularly monitor your serum phosphate levels, vitamin D, A, E, K and folic acid while taking Lanthanum.
- Do not stop taking the Lanthanum until your doctor says so.
- Do not use Lanthanum if you have a history of bowel obstruction.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hyperphosphatemia (high phosphate level in blood) is often a complication of chronic kidney disease. Phosphate is an important electrolyte it strengthens your bones, teeth and produces energy. When phosphate level increase in your blood due to kidney impairment (the kidney does not remove extra phosphate from the body) can cause muscle problems and increase your risk for weak bones, heart attacks and strokes. It is more common in people with chronic kidney disease and people on dialysis. Increased levels of serum phosphorus can also lead to hard deposits in the blood vessels (calcification). It can stiffen your blood vessels and make it harder for blood to be pumped whole the body organ. Symptoms of increased blood phosphorus include itchy skin, red eyes, bone pain and fractures.
FAQs
High phosphate levels in blood generally happen due to kidney disorders that may affect the levels of calcium and the body starts working in an opposite manner. As phosphate levels rise, calcium levels will fall.
It is advised to avoid foods that are already high in phosphorus like dairy foods, oatmeal, beans, lentils, nuts, bran cereals, colas and other drinks with phosphate additives.
Lanthanum is in a class of medications called phosphate binders. Lanthanum works by holding onto phosphate from the diet so that it can pass out of your body.
It is advised not to take ciprofloxacin with Lanthanum as it may interfere with the working of Lanthanum and therefore it should not be taken at the same time as Lanthanum.
Yes, it is advised to go for certain lab tests like serum phosphate levels should be monitored regularly while you are taking Lanthanum. The use of Lanthanum may decrease the levels of vitamin D, A, E, K and folic acid and hence the levels need to be monitored during the treatment.
It is advised not to stop taking Lanthanum as it is a phosphate binder, that is used to control the phosphate level in blood. If you stop taking Lanthanum, your phosphate levels may elevate again. Please consult your doctor.
