Lanthanum Carbonate
Lanthanum carbonate is a phosphate binder commonly used in clinical practice. It is marketed under the trade name Fosrenol by Shire Pharmaceuticals. It is the largest of all pills filled in community pharmacies. Sometimes patients forget that Fosrenol is not swallowed whole, but instead should be chewed. This has led to severe choking. It is prescribed for treating high phosphate levels, mainly found in patients with chronic kidney disease. Lanthanum should be taken with meals and binds to phosphate in the diet, preventing phosphate absorption in the intestine.