Introduction About ZEROFOS TABLET

ZEROFOS TABLET contains Calcium acetate, which belongs to the group of medicines called Phosphate binders. It is used to reduce serum phosphorus in patients with end-stage renal disease. End-stage renal disease is a condition in which the gradual loss of kidney function reaches an advanced stage (where the kidney might stop functioning).

Symptoms include fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, headache, loss of appetite, difficulty in urination, swelling of feet or ankles, difficulty sleeping, muscle cramps, metallic taste, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Prior to the management, your doctor may want you to take certain blood and kidney tests to understand your existing condition to safely use this medicine.

ZEROFOS TABLET is not recommended for use in patients having hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in blood). ZEROFOS TABLET should be used with caution among pregnant or breastfeeding women; therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Safety and effectiveness of ZEROFOS TABLET in pediatric patients have not been established yet. ZEROFOS TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above). Consult your doctor before taking it.

The most common side effects of taking ZEROFOS TABLET are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects worsen. 

Uses Of ZEROFOS TABLET

• Reduces serum phosphorus (high phosphate/phosphorus levels) in patients with end-stage renal disease 

How ZEROFOS TABLET Works

ZEROFOS TABLET when taken with the meal, it combines with the dietary phosphate to form an insoluble compound (calcium phosphate complex), which gets excreted in the feces. Hence decreasing the concentration of serum phosphorus in the kidney.

How to use ZEROFOS TABLET

Take ZEROFOS TABLET as advised by your physician. Take it with meals. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight, and disease condition.

Side Effects Of ZEROFOS TABLET

How To Manage Side Effects

Nausea And Vomiting

Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil-rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve. Sip clear or ice-cold drinks and eat light, bland foods (such as saltine crackers or plain bread). Avoid eating fried, greasy, or sweet foods. Do not mix hot and cold foods. Eat smaller meals slowly and frequently. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve. 

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

Monitoring required

ZEROFOS TABLET should be used with caution during pregnancy only if considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before taking it. 

Breastfeeding

Use with Caution

ZEROFOS TABLET should be used with caution in breastfeeding women as it may excrete in human milk. Consult your doctor before taking it. 

Driving and Using Machines

Contraindicated

Do not drive or operate any machines if you experience confusion, unconsciousness, or delirium.

Allergy

Contraindicated

Do not take ZEROFOS TABLET if you are allergic to calcium acetate or any other ingredients of this medicine. 

Use In Pediatrics

Consult your doctor

Safety and effectiveness of ZEROFOS TABLET in pediatric patients have not been established yet. Consult your child’s doctor for advice. 

Use In Geriatrics

Use with Caution

ZEROFOS TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above) due to the high risk of side effects, especially in patients with impaired heart, liver, or kidney function. Consult your doctor before taking ZEROFOS TABLET. 

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking ZEROFOS TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: 

• Ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines (used to manage bacterial infections)
• Digoxin (used to manage heart failure)
• Verapamil (used to manage high blood pressure)
• Vitamin D (used to regulate calcium and phosphorus in the body)
• Antacids containing calcium carbonate or other calcium salts (used to relieve indigestion)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of ZEROFOS TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital as it may lead to increased levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) and it may cause symptoms such as constipation, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, confusion, delirium, stupor, and coma.

Synopsis

More Information

FAQs About ZEROFOS TABLET

Q: What is ZEROFOS TABLET used for?

A: ZEROFOS TABLET is used to reduce serum phosphorus in patients with end-stage renal disease. End-stage renal disease is a condition in which the gradual loss of kidney function reaches an advanced stage (where the kidney might stop functioning).

Q: How does ZEROFOS TABLET work?

A: ZEROFOS TABLET when taken with the meal, combines with the dietary phosphate to form an insoluble compound (calcium phosphate complex), which gets excreted in the feces. Hence decreasing the concentration of serum phosphorus in the kidney.

Q: Can ZEROFOS TABLET be used with elderly patients?

A: ZEROFOS TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above) due to the high risk of side effects, especially in patients with impaired heart, liver, or kidney function. Consult your doctor before taking ZEROFOS TABLET. 

Q: Can ZEROFOS TABLET be used during pregnancy?

A: ZEROFOS TABLET should be used with caution during pregnancy only if considered clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

Q: What happens if I take more dose of ZEROFOS TABLET?

A: If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of ZEROFOS TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital as it may lead to increased levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) and it may cause symptoms such as constipation, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, confusion, delirium, stupor, and coma.

Q: How should I take ZEROFOS TABLET?

A: Take ZEROFOS TABLET as advised by your physician. Take it with meals. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight, and disease condition.

Q: Who should avoid taking ZEROFOS TABLET?

A: Do not take ZEROFOS TABLET if you are allergic to calcium acetate or if you have hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium), as it may increase the chances of toxicity. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Q: What are the side effects of ZEROFOS TABLET?

A: The most common side effects of taking ZEROFOS TABLET are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects worsen.

Q: Can I take other medicines while using ZEROFOS TABLET?

A: Before taking ZEROFOS TABLET, inform your doctor if you are using prescription, non-prescription, or herbal medicines.

Q: Is ZEROFOS TABLET safe for kidneys?

A: Yes, ZEROFOS TABLET is safe for patients with kidney disease as it helps reduce serum phosphorus (high phosphate/phosphorus levels).

References

1. Goodman Gilman’s. Agents affecting mineral ion homeostasis and bone turnover. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Twelfth Edition. 2011. Page –1291.

2. Yong Wang, Guoqiang Xie, Yuanhang Huang, Han Zhang, Bo Yang, and Zhiguo Mao. Calcium Acetate or Calcium Carbonate for Hyperphosphatemia of Hemodialysis Patients: A Meta-Analysis. NIH National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubMed Central. March 2015. [Accessed on 11th July 2024] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4370772/

3. Mark R Kaplan, Cindy L Stashenko, Andra L Bledsoe, and John McGowan. A preference study: calcium acetate tablets versus gelcaps in hemodialysis patients. NIH National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubMed.gov. August 2002. [Accessed on 11th July 2024] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12224369/

4. Fresenius Medical Care North America. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [Revised in March 2011] [Accessed on 11th July 2024] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/021160s015lbl.pdf

5. Formulation Technology Inc. Calcium acetate. NIH, National Library of Medicine. Dailymed. [Revised in December 2017] [Accessed on 11th July 2024] https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c095727d-d0cb-448a-9325-d7eac27728a3 

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)/ Hemogram
• Urine Routine & Microscopy
• Kidney Function Test (KFT)
• Creatinine Clearence Test
• Glomerular Filtration Rate (Gfr)
• Advanced Renal Profile

Author Details

Written By Dr. N. Sai Swaroop - Pharm.D

Reviewed By Dr. Sankara Babu Gorle - MBBS, MD(Pharmacology) View profile

Last updated on 12 Jul 2024 | 05:25 PM(IST)