Sevelamerdosage

Starting dose of sevelamer carbonate is 0.8 or 1.6 grams administered orally three times per day with meals based on serum phosphorus levels for adult patients and based on body surface area (BSA) category for pediatric patients. Titrate by 0.8 g per meal in two-week intervals for adult patients as needed to obtain serum phosphorus target. Titrate based on BSA category for pediatric patients in two-week intervals for 6 weeks and then every 4 weeks as needed to obtain serum phosphorus target.

2.1 General

Dosing Information Starting Dose for Adult Patients Not Taking a Phosphate Binder. The recommended starting dose of sevelamer carbonate is 0.8 to 1.6 g taken orally with meals based on serum phosphorus level. Table 1 provides recommended starting doses of sevelamer carbonate for adult patients not taking a phosphate binder.

Table 1: Starting Dose for Adult Dialysis Patients Not Taking a Phosphate Binder Serum Phosphorus Sevelamer Carbonate >5.5 and <7.5 mg/dL 0.8 g three times daily with meals ≥7.5 mg/dL 1.6 g three times daily with meals Dose Titration for Adult Patients Taking Sevelamer Carbonate. Titrate the sevelamer carbonate dose by 0.8 g three times per day with meals at two-week intervals as necessary to achieve target serum phosphorus levels. Based on clinical studies, the average prescribed adult daily dose of sevelamer carbonate is approximately 7.2 g per day. The highest daily adult dose of sevelamer carbonate studied was 14 grams in CKD patients on dialysis. Starting Dose for Pediatric Patients Not Taking a Phosphate Binder. The recommended starting dose for pediatric patients 6 years of age and older is 0.8 to 1.6 g taken three times per day with meals based on the patient's body surface area (BSA) category; see Table 2.

Table 2: Recommended Starting Dosage and Titration Increment Based on Pediatric Patient's Body Surface Area (m 2 ) BSA (m 2 ) Starting Dose Per Meal/Snack Titration Increases/Decreases Per Dose ≥0.75 to <1.2 0.8 g Titrate by 0.4 g ≥1.2 1.6 g Titrate by 0.8 g Dose Titration for Pediatric Patients Taking Sevelamer Carbonate. Titrate the sevelamer carbonate dose as needed to achieve target levels at two-week intervals based on BSA category, as shown in Table 2. Switching from Sevelamer Hydrochloride Tablets. For adult patients switching from sevelamer hydrochloride tablets to sevelamer carbonate tablets or powder, use the same dose in grams. Switching between Sevelamer Carbonate Tablets and Powder. Use the same dose in grams. Switching from Calcium Acetate. Table 3 gives recommended starting doses of sevelamer carbonate based on a patient's current calcium acetate dose.

Table 3: Starting Dose for Dialysis Patients Switching from Calcium Acetate to Sevelamer Carbonate Calcium Acetate 667 mg (Tablets per meal) Sevelamer Carbonate 1 tablet 0.8 g 2 tablets 1.6 g 3 tablets 2.4 g

2.2 Sevelamer

Carbonate Powder Preparation Instructions Sevelamer carbonate powder is available in 0.8 or 2.4 g packets. For dose increments of 0.4 g, use one half of a 0.8 g packet. Place the sevelamer carbonate powder in a cup and suspend in the amount of water described in Table 4.

Table 4: Sevelamer Carbonate Powder Preparation Instructions Amount of Sevelamer Carbonate Powder Minimum Amount of Water for Dose Preparation (either ounces, mL, or tablespoon) Ounces mL Tablespoons 0.4 g 1 30 2 0.8 g 1 30 2 2.4 g 2 60 4 Instruct patients to stir the mixture vigorously (it does not dissolve), resuspend, if necessary, right before administration, and drink the entire preparation within 30 minutes. As an alternative to water, the entire contents of the packet may be pre-mixed with a small amount of food or beverage and consumed immediately (within 30 minutes) as part of the meal. Do not heat sevelamer carbonate powder (e.g., microwave) or add to heated foods or liquids.