Common Dialysis Medicines Binders Phosphate Binders Binds phosphorus in the intestines Dont take iron at the same

me time Taken within 30 minutes after a meal Excretes excess phosphorus in the body High levels of phosphorus in the body can pull calcium of out your Bones and can also lead to skin itching or irritation

Calcium Binders work like phosphate binders and act as a secondary supplement for low calcium in the bloodstream

Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)

Blood thinners: Used to prevent clotting of the dialyzer and to keep your access open. Heparin, Citrate or Coumadin are the medicines used for hemodialysis

Antihypertensives (Blood Pressure Control)

Blood

Pressure Control: reduce fluid retention,

Blood thinners
Common choices: Heparin sodium (Heparin), warfarin (Coumadin). Why you need them: To prevent blood clots in the hemodialysis machine, access point and tubing or to keep the peritoneal catheter free of fibrin the protein formed during normal blood clotting. If fibrin builds up in the peritoneal catheter, it can block the flow of dialysis fluid into and out of your abdomen. Precautions: If you're injured, tell the emergency team that you're taking blood thinners.

Calcium supplements
Common choices: Calcium acetate (PhosLo), calcium carbonate (Tums, Os-Cal 250, others). Why you need them: To control the level of calcium in your blood and promote strong bones. Precautions: For proper absorption, take calcium supplements between meals. Don't take calcium and iron supplements together.

Iron supplements
Common choices: Ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Slow Fe, others). Why you need them: To increase the amount of iron in your bloodstream, which helps assure the production of red blood cells. Precautions: For proper absorption, take iron supplements between meals. Don't take iron and calcium supplements together.

Phosphate binders
Common choices: Calcium acetate (PhosLo), sevelamer (Renagel).

Why you need them: To prevent the buildup of phosphorus in your blood. Too much phosphorus draws calcium from your bones and may lead to dangerous calcium deposits in your blood vessels, lungs, eyes and heart. Precautions: Take phosphate binders with meals so that the medication can bind with the phosphorus in your food.

Stool softeners and laxatives

Common choices: Docusate sodium (Colace), polyethylene glycol 3550 (MiraLax), bisacodyl (Dulcolax). Why you need them: To manage constipation. Precautions: Avoid laxatives or enemas containing magnesium or phosphorus. These substances will be absorbed into your bloodstream.