LANTHANUM: 1,489 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile
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Active Ingredient: LANTHANUM CARBONATE · Drug Class: Phosphate Binder [EPC] · Route: ORAL · Manufacturer: Hahnemann Laboratories, INC. · FDA Application: 021468 · HUMAN OTC DRUG · FDA Label: Available
Patent Expires: Dec 1, 2030 · First Report: 200411 · Latest Report: 20250625
What Are the Most Common LANTHANUM Side Effects?
All LANTHANUM Side Effects by Frequency
| Side Effect | Reports | % of Total | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death | 340 | 22.8% | 340 | 75 |
| Nausea | 274 | 18.4% | 224 | 121 |
| Constipation | 261 | 17.5% | 224 | 118 |
| Vomiting | 261 | 17.5% | 224 | 123 |
| Abdominal distension | 252 | 16.9% | 243 | 129 |
| Abdominal pain | 244 | 16.4% | 225 | 116 |
| Hyponatraemia | 244 | 16.4% | 243 | 121 |
| Sepsis | 239 | 16.1% | 238 | 111 |
| General physical health deterioration | 237 | 15.9% | 236 | 113 |
| Ascites | 235 | 15.8% | 232 | 108 |
| Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome | 233 | 15.7% | 233 | 110 |
| Appendicitis | 232 | 15.6% | 231 | 109 |
| Stress | 231 | 15.5% | 231 | 108 |
| Appendicolith | 229 | 15.4% | 229 | 107 |
| Cardiogenic shock | 222 | 14.9% | 222 | 100 |
| Off label use | 203 | 13.6% | 193 | 118 |
| Ventricular fibrillation | 203 | 13.6% | 202 | 120 |
| Blood phosphorus increased | 184 | 12.4% | 142 | 106 |
| Condition aggravated | 162 | 10.9% | 151 | 121 |
| Somnolence | 145 | 9.7% | 143 | 111 |
Who Reports LANTHANUM Side Effects? Age & Gender Data
Gender: 17.8% female, 82.2% male. Average age: 75.2 years. Most reports from: CA. View detailed demographics →
Is LANTHANUM Getting Safer? Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| 2008 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 2009 | 10 | 1 | 8 |
| 2010 | 17 | 7 | 12 |
| 2011 | 17 | 4 | 7 |
| 2012 | 19 | 7 | 11 |
| 2013 | 33 | 9 | 22 |
| 2014 | 68 | 28 | 36 |
| 2015 | 96 | 37 | 37 |
| 2016 | 74 | 18 | 26 |
| 2017 | 41 | 7 | 22 |
| 2018 | 31 | 2 | 15 |
| 2019 | 16 | 2 | 8 |
| 2020 | 87 | 74 | 60 |
| 2021 | 36 | 24 | 10 |
| 2022 | 16 | 11 | 4 |
| 2023 | 15 | 6 | 7 |
| 2024 | 20 | 7 | 7 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
What Is LANTHANUM Used For?
| Indication | Reports |
|---|---|
| Product used for unknown indication | 682 |
| Hyperphosphataemia | 528 |
| Blood phosphorus increased | 279 |
| Off label use | 97 |
| Chronic kidney disease | 49 |
| End stage renal disease | 22 |
| Blood phosphorus abnormal | 16 |
| Dialysis | 12 |
| Renal failure | 9 |
| Blood phosphorus decreased | 6 |
LANTHANUM vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?
Other Drugs in Same Class: Phosphate Binder [EPC]
Official FDA Label for LANTHANUM
Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.
Drug Description
FOSRENOL contains lanthanum carbonate with molecular formula La 2 (CO 3 ) 3 xH 2 O (on average x=4-5 moles of water) and molecular weight 457.8 (anhydrous mass). Lanthanum carbonate is described as white to almost-white powder. Lanthanum carbonate is practically insoluble in water and is insoluble in organic solvents; it dissolves in dilute mineral acids with effervescence. Each FOSRENOL, white to off-white, chewable tablet contains lanthanum carbonate hydrate equivalent to 500, 750, or 1,000 mg of elemental lanthanum and the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, dextrates (hydrated), magnesium stearate.
Fosrenol
Oral Powder is a white to off-white powder containing lanthanum carbonate hydrate equivalent to 750 or 1,000 mg of elemental lanthanum and the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, dextrates (hydrated), magnesium stearate.
FDA Approved Uses (Indications)
AND USAGE Lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets are a phosphate binder indicated to reduce serum phosphate in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Management of elevated serum phosphorus levels in patients with ESRD usually includes all of the following: reduction in dietary intake of phosphate, removal of phosphate by dialysis, and reduction of intestinal phosphate absorption with phosphate binders. Lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets are a phosphate binder indicated to reduce serum phosphate in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
AND ADMINISTRATION Divide the total daily dose of FOSRENOL and take with or immediately after meals. The recommended initial total daily dose of FOSRENOL is 1,500 mg. Titrate the dose every 2 to 3 weeks until an acceptable serum phosphate level is reached. Monitor serum phosphate levels as needed during dose titration and on a regular basis thereafter. FOSRENOL has the potential to bind other orally administered drugs; consider separating the administration of other oral medications [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . In clinical studies of patients with ESRD, FOSRENOL doses up to 4,500 mg were evaluated. Most patients required a total daily dose between 1,500 mg and 3,000 mg to reduce plasma phosphate levels to less than 6.0 mg/dL. Doses were generally titrated in increments of 750 mg/day. The recommended initial total daily dose of FOSRENOL is 1,500 mg in divided doses. Titrate every 2 to 3 weeks based on serum phosphate level. ( 2 ) Take FOSRENOL with or immediately after meals. ( 2 )
Fosrenol
Chewable Tablets: Chew or crush tablet completely before swallowing. ( 2 )
Fosrenol
Oral Powder: Sprinkle powder on a small quantity of applesauce or other similar food and consume immediately. Consider powder formulation in patients with poor dentition or who have difficulty chewing tablets. ( 2 ) Information for FOSRENOL Chewable Tablets Chew or crush FOSRENOL Chewable Tablets completely before swallowing. Do not swallow intact FOSRENOL Chewable Tablets. Information for FOSRENOL Oral Powder Sprinkle FOSRENOL Oral Powder on a small quantity of applesauce or other similar food and consume immediately. Do not open until ready to use. Do not store FOSRENOL Oral Powder for future use once mixed with food. Because FOSRENOL Oral Powder is insoluble, do not attempt to dissolve in liquid for administration. Consider using the oral powder formulation in patients with poor dentition or who have difficulty chewing tablets.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with: - hypersensitivity to lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets or to any ingredient in the formulation. - bowel obstruction, including ileus and fecal impaction. Hypersensitivity to lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets or to any ingredient in the formulation. ( 4 ) Bowel obstruction, ileus, and fecal impaction. ( 4 )
Known Adverse Reactions
REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 )] In controlled trials, the most common adverse reactions that were more frequent (≥ 5% difference vs. placebo) in lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets were nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. ( 6.1 ) The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets: constipation, dyspepsia, allergic skin reactions, and tooth injury while chewing the tablet. ( 6.2 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-399-2561 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Overall, the safety profile of lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets have been studied in over 5,200 subjects in completed clinical trials. The most common adverse reactions for lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets were gastrointestinal events, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and they generally abated over time with continued dosing. In double-blind, placebo-controlled studies where a total of 180 and 95 patients with ESRD were randomized to lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets and placebo, respectively, for 4 to 6 weeks of treatment, the most common reactions that were more frequent (≥5% difference) in the lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets group were nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain (Table 1).
Table
1: Adverse Reactions* That Were More Common on Lanthanum Carbonate Chewable Tablets in Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Studies with Treatment Periods of 4 to 6 Weeks * Expressed as the event rate for each term Lanthanum Carbonate Chewable Tablets % (N=180) Placebo % (N=95)
Nausea
11 5 Vomiting 9 4 Abdominal pain 5 0 In an open-label, long-term 2-year extension study in 93 patients who had transitioned from other studies, resulting in a total of up to 6 years treatment, mean baseline values and changes in transaminases were similar to those observed in the earlier comparative studies, with little change during treatment. The safety of lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets was studied in two long-term, open-label clinical trials, which included 1,215 patients treated with lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets and 944 with alternative therapy. Fourteen percent (14%) of patients treated with lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Gastrointestinal adverse reactions, such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting were the most common types of event leading to discontinuation. In pooled active comparator controlled clinical trials, hypocalcemia was noted with an incidence of approximately 5% in both lanthanum and active comparator groups. A nonclinical study and a phase 1 study have shown reduced absorption of calcium in the intestine with lanthanum carbonate treatment. In a crossover study in 72 healthy individuals comparing lanthanum chewable tablets to lanthanum oral powder, gastrointestinal adverse reactions such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting were more common for the oral powder formulation (18%) than for the chewable tablets (7%).
6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cases of constipation, intestinal perforation, intestinal obstruction, ileus, subileus, dyspepsia, allergic skin reactions, hypophosphatemia, and tooth injury while chewing the tablet have been reported.
Warnings
AND PRECAUTIONS Serious cases of gastrointestinal obstruction, ileus, subileus, gastrointestinal perforation, and fecal impaction. Risks include altered gastrointestinal anatomy, hypomotility disorders, and concomitant medications. Advise patients to chew or crush the tablet completely. ( 5.1 ) Lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets have radio-opaque properties and, therefore, may give the appearance typical of an imaging agent during abdominal X-ray procedures. ( 5.2 )
5.1 Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects Serious cases of gastrointestinal obstruction, ileus, subileus, gastrointestinal perforation, and fecal impaction have been reported in patients taking lanthanum, some requiring surgery or hospitalization. Consider discontinuing lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets in patients without another explanation for severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Risk factors for gastrointestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal perforation identified from post-marketing reports in patients taking lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets include abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy (e.g., diverticular disease, peritonitis, history of gastrointestinal surgery, gastrointestinal cancer, gastrointestinal ulceration), hypomotility disorders (e.g., constipation, ileus, subileus, diabetic gastroparesis), and the use of medications known to potentiate these effects. Some cases were reported in patients with no history of gastrointestinal disease. Patients with acute peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or bowel obstruction were not included in lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets clinical studies <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Contraindications ( 4 )]</span> . Advise patients who are prescribed lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets to chew the tablet completely and not to swallow them whole. Serious gastrointestinal complications have been reported in association with unchewed or incompletely chewed tablets <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]</span> .
5.2 Diagnostic Tests Lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets have radio-opaque properties and therefore may give the appearance typical of an imaging agent during abdominal X-ray procedures. Postmarketing reports of product residue have been reported during endoscopic imaging.
Drug Interactions
INTERACTIONS There is a potential for lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets to interact with compounds that bind to cationic antacids (i.e., aluminum-, magnesium-, or calcium-based); therefore, do not take such compounds within 2 hours of dosing with lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets. ( 7.1 ) Oral quinolone antibiotics must be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets. ( 7.2 ) Do not take thyroid hormone replacement therapy within 2 hours of dosing with lanthanum carbonate chewable tablets. Monitoring of TSH levels is recommended in patients receiving both medicinal agents. ( 7.3 ) For oral medications where a reduction in the bioavailability of that medication would have a clinically significant effect on its safety or efficacy, consider separation of the timing of the administration of the two drugs. ( 7.4 )