Is Granular Formulation of Lanthanum Carbonate More Effective than Chewable Tablets

Maintenance dialysis patients at our hospital who had been receiving lanthanum carbonate (LC) chewable tablets were switched to the same dosage of the granules, and the differences in serum phosphorus (P) levels were compared, together with stratifying patients at the baseline characteristics. Compared to average serum P level of 5.48 mg/dL for 2 months prior to switching, the average level for 2 months after switching was 4.99 mg/dL (P = 0.049). For patients who were under 60, serum P levels were significantly improved after switching (P = 0.016), and for patients who were concomitantly taking many kinds of medications, a correlation to high reductions of serum P level after switching was shown (R = −0.635, P = 0.015). In order to maximize pharmaceutical potential of LC, we think that it is not only necessary to provide patients with how to take the medication, but it is also important to take into consideration the patients' baseline characteristics.