What is SEVCAR?
- SEVCAR contains sevelamer carbonate
- It binds phosphate from food in the digestive tract and so reduces serum phosphorus levels in the blood
What SEVCAR is used for?
SEVCAR is used to control hyperphosphataemia (high blood phosphate levels) in
- adult patients undergoing haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
- patients with chronic (long-term) kidney disease who are not on dialysis and have a serum (blood) phosphorus level equal to or above 1.78 mmol/l
- the prevention of bone diseases
Talk to Doctor
Pregnancy & Breast Feeding
Children & Adolescents
Driving & Using Machines
Talk to your doctor before taking SEVCAR, if you:
- have low levels of phosphate in your blood
- have bowel obstruction
- are allergic to sevelamer carbonate
- have swallowing problems
- have problems with motility (movement) in your stomach and bowel
- have being sick frequently
- have active inflammation of the bowel
- have undergone major surgery on your stomach or bowel
- It is unknown whether SEVCAR has any effect on unborn babies or may pass through breast milk and affect your baby
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine
- The safety and efficacy in children (below the age of 18 years) has not been studied. Therefore, SEVCAR is not recommended for use in children
- SEVCAR is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or to use machines
Tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
- ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic)
- medicines used for heart rhythm problems or epilepsy
- medicines used to suppress the immune system such as ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus
- medicine such as levothyroxine used to treatment low thyroid hormone levels
- medicine used to treat heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastric ulcers, such as omeprazole, pantoprazole, or lansoprazole
- You must take SEVCAR as prescribed by your doctor. They will base the dose on your serum phosphorus level
- The 2.4 g powder for oral suspension should be dispersed in 60 ml of water per sachet Drink within 30 minutes of being prepared. It is important to drink all of the liquid and it may be necessary to rinse the glass with water and drink this as well to ensure that all of the powder is swallowed
- The recommended starting dose for SEVCAR is 2.4-4.8g per day equally divided over three meals. The exact starting dose and regimen will be determined by your doctor
- Initially, your doctor will check the levels of phosphorus in your blood every 2-4 weeks and they may adjust the dose of SEVCAR when necessary to reach an adequate phosphate level
- Patients taking SEVCAR should adhere to their prescribed diets
If you take more SEVCAR
- In the event of a possible overdose you should contact your doctor immediately
If you forget to take SEVCAR
- If you have missed one dose, this dose should be omitted, and the next dose should be taken at the usual time with a meal
- Do not a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose
If you stop taking SEVCAR
- Do not stop taking SEVCAR unless you are advised by your doctor to do so
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
- vomiting
- constipation
- upper abdominal pain
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- abdominal pain
- indigestion
- flatulence
- hypersensitivity
Additional treatments:
Special note for patients on peritoneal dialysis:
You may develop peritonitis (infection of your abdominal fluid) associated with your peritoneal dialysis. This risk can be reduced by careful adherence to sterile techniques during bag changes. You should tell your doctor immediately if you experience any new signs or symptoms of abdominal distress, abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, or abdominal rigidity, constipation, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting.
You should expect to be monitored more carefully for problems with low levels of vitamins A, D, E, K and folic acid.
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date
- Store at room temperature (15-25°C)
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.