What is sevelamer carbonate 800 mg used for
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Uses of Sevelamer Carbonate 800 mg
Hyperphosphatemia Management in Chronic Kidney Disease
Effective Phosphate Binding
Sevelamer carbonate 800 mg is primarily used to manage hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those undergoing hemodialysis. Hyperphosphatemia, characterized by elevated serum phosphorus levels, is a common complication in CKD and is associated with adverse outcomes such as vascular calcification and increased mortality rates. Sevelamer carbonate effectively lowers serum phosphorus levels, as demonstrated in a study where it significantly reduced mean serum phosphorus in hemodialysis patients compared to a placebo.
Comparison with Other Phosphate Binders
Sevelamer carbonate is often compared with other phosphate binders like lanthanum carbonate and calcium carbonate. In a study comparing dietary phosphate absorption, sevelamer carbonate was found to decrease net phosphate absorption by 21%, which was less effective than lanthanum carbonate's 45% reduction. However, both sevelamer and calcium carbonate were effective in preventing hypomagnesemia and increasing serum magnesium levels in hemodialysis patients, although sevelamer also significantly reduced serum calcium levels.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Reduction in Cardiovascular Mortality
Sevelamer carbonate has been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes in CKD patients. In a 24-month randomized clinical trial, sevelamer-treated patients experienced lower cardiovascular mortality due to cardiac arrhythmias compared to those treated with calcium carbonate. This suggests that sevelamer carbonate may offer additional cardiovascular protection beyond its phosphate-binding capabilities.
Metabolic Acidosis Management
Impact on Plasma Bicarbonate and pH Levels
Sevelamer carbonate is also beneficial in managing metabolic acidosis in hemodialysis patients. A study comparing sevelamer carbonate with sevelamer hydrochloride found that sevelamer carbonate significantly increased plasma bicarbonate and blood pH levels, making it a preferable option for preventing acidosis in these patients.
Conclusion
Sevelamer carbonate 800 mg is a versatile phosphate binder used primarily to manage hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients on hemodialysis. It effectively lowers serum phosphorus levels, offers cardiovascular benefits by reducing mortality due to cardiac arrhythmias, and helps manage metabolic acidosis by increasing plasma bicarbonate and blood pH levels. While it may be less effective than lanthanum carbonate in reducing phosphate absorption, its overall benefits make it a valuable treatment option in CKD management.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic