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Sevelamer for Hyperphosphatemia of Renal Failure User Reviews

Brand names: Renvela, Renagel

Rating: 5.1

Sevelamer has an average rating of 5.1 out of 10 from a total of 16 reviews for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia of renal failure. 25% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 31% reported a negative experience.

10
6%
9
6%
8
13%
7
19%
6
0%
5
6%
4
19%
3
13%
2
0%
1
19%

Reviews for Sevelamer

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Rob...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 27, 2016

Sevelamer "Works well at keeping my phosphorus down. I take two tablets with my average meals, I take three tablets if I eat an usually large meal. I also take one or two tablets with snacks. The only side effect I've experienced is constipation, I sometimes take a mild stool softener, not a big problem. All medications only work if taken as prescribed on a consistent basis. It's such a small thing to do for your health."

9 / 10
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24 Report
  • Ear...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 21, 2016

Sevelamer "Expensive at over $800 for a 30-day supply. Experienced diarrhea often taking 2 out of the recommended 3 pills a day. Lowered my uric acid from 11.5 to 10.8. Brought my phosphorus levels down very well."

7 / 10
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19 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 8, 2016

Sevelamer "I have been taking these for about a year. Seems like one month they work and the next they don't. Even though I am eating the same food and the same amount of pills. I seriously wonder if some months they are just sugar pills and not the real thing. I seriously question the quality."

4 / 10
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23 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Gin...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 3, 2018

Sevelamer "Found this to be extremely effective. Need more, but it is overpriced, and I cannot afford it, even with insurance. Why is this so expensive? As I cannot afford almost $300 for a 90-day supply (on social security), I will fall back to using Tums, which costs less than $10 for a large container."

10 / 10
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14 Report
  • Hol...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • June 28, 2019

"The medication works, but I have severe diarrhea when I take them. The diarrhea limits my eating out, and I constantly have to be near a restroom. It also impacts my sleeping each night. Again, the medication works, but for me, the diarrhea is a definite negative."

4 / 10
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6 Report

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  • CKD...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 28, 2019

"The powder works great and encourages my daughter to eat. But our copay at $825 per month (3 packets per day) is astronomical. Coupons only work for name brand, which is much more expensive. My 8-year-old cannot reasonably swallow the 800 mg pill, which is what she would need to take should she get the pill form, which from what I understand sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t. Her calcium is too elevated to resort to calcium-based medication. So we are stuck either risking further kidney damage or paying for her medication instead of the other medical bills we need to pay for. It’s price gouging in its most disgusting form. Shame on the company that makes this."

5 / 10
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6 Report
  • Ara...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 21, 2021

"This medication caused extreme itching, which was odd to me because it wasn’t listed as a side effect. Most renal failure patients are told high phosphorus in the body causes itching, but I wasn’t experiencing that until I started this medication. Another issue I had was the amount of fluid I had to drink to get the 2-pill dose down. Because I’ve had gastric sleeve, I don’t have room to eat after I took the dose. My phosphorus also went up after starting the medication."

4 / 10
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3 Report
  • JRT...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 30, 2022

"Medication had such side effects, could not take it long enough to determine if it actually lowered phosphorus levels. One day on this med, and my blood pressure was dropping to 100/50 from normal 145/80. Repeatable symptoms with one pill with breakfast."

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • kal...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • June 16, 2015

"My weight is stable at 165 lbs., and my appetite is excellent. I take from 4 to 8 800 mg tablets with each meal, mainly determined by the size of the meal but also factoring in a very rough estimate of the meal's phosphorus content. By doing so, I have consistently had phosphorus levels within the desired range for over a year without side effects. Without this medication, of course, high phosphorus with constant itching."

8 / 10
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5 Report
  • sta...
  • May 23, 2015

"Was very happy when generic sevelamer came out, and it has helped keep me stable at stage 3. Now generic has been withdrawn, and only Renvela can be obtained, but at much greater cost. I feel trapped having to take Renvela or risk further kidney damage. Thanks, FDA, for helping manufacturer gouge me for more money!"

8 / 10
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5 Report
  • Fra...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 2, 2021

"I've been using sevelamer for about 3 weeks along with calcium acetate. When I first started using it, I was a bit constipated, but now I'm experiencing loose stools frequently. It always causes a bit of nausea, and sometimes I feel fatigued. I'm not sure if the fatigue is from dialysis or the drug. My only concern is the frequent bowel movements."

7 / 10
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2 Report
  • Jea...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 28, 2023

"I took sevelamer for 3 1/2 days. I finally said enough was enough. My diarrhea was so severe I couldn’t even stand to wipe myself. I had blood on my tissue and was almost to the point of blisters. I couldn’t even leave the bathroom before I would have to go right back in. This drug was horrible for me."

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 19, 2009

Sevelamer "Started with 2, now I'm up to 4, still no results."

1 / 10
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31 Report
  • sra...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 19, 2017

Sevelamer "I experienced too many side effects-constant nausea, itching, and weight gain."

3 / 10
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12 Report
  • vic...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 24, 2020

Sevelamer "The side effect I get from Renvela is constipation."

7 / 10
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9 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 12, 2015

Sevelamer "Up to 4 with each meal. Center didn't believe I was taking them cause my phosphorus levels didn't go down. Better than chewable, if they worked better."

3 / 10
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13 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.