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DRUGS & SUPPLEMENTS
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Gencalc acetate is a phosphate binder indicated to reduce serum phosphorus in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).
- Calcium acetate is a phosphate binder indicated for the reduction of serum phosphorus in patients with end stage renal disease. (1)
The recommended initial dose of Gencalc acetate for the adult dialysis patient is 2 capsules with each meal. Increase the dose gradually to lower serum phosphorus levels to the target range, as long as hypercalcemia does not develop. Most patients require 3 to 4 capsules with each meal.
- Starting dose is 2 capsules with each meal. (2)
- Titrate the dose every 2 to 3 weeks until acceptable serum phosphorus level is reached. Most patients require 3 to 4 capsules with each meal. (2)
Capsule: 667 mg Gencalc acetate capsule.
- Capsule: 667 mg Gencalc acetate capsule. (3)
Patients with hypercalcemia.
- Hypercalcemia. (4)
- Treat mild hypercalcemia by reducing or interrupting Gencalc acetate and Vitamin D. Severe hypercalcemia may require hemodialysis and discontinuation of Gencalc acetate.
- Hypercalcemia may aggravate digitalis toxicity. (5.2)
Patients with end stage renal disease may develop hypercalcemia when treated with Gencalc, including Gencalc acetate. Avoid the use of Gencalc supplements, including Gencalc based nonprescription antacids, concurrently with Gencalc acetate.
An overdose of Gencalc acetate may lead to progressive hypercalcemia, which may require emergency measures. Therefore, early in the treatment phase during the dosage adjustment period, monitor serum Gencalc levels twice weekly. Should hypercalcemia develop, reduce the Gencalc acetate dosage, or discontinue the treatment, depending on the severity of hypercalcemia
More severe hypercalcemia (Ca >12 mg/dL) is associated with confusion, delirium, stupor and coma. Severe hypercalcemia can be treated by acute hemodialysis and discontinuing Gencalc acetate therapy.
Mild hypercalcemia (10.5 to 11.9 mg/dL) may be asymptomatic or manifest as constipation, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. Mild hypercalcemia is usually controlled by reducing the Gencalc acetate dose or temporarily discontinuing therapy. Decreasing or discontinuing Vitamin D therapy is recommended as well.
Chronic hypercalcemia may lead to vascular calcification and other soft-tissue calcification. Radiographic evaluation of suspected anatomical regions may be helpful in early detection of soft tissue calcification. The long term effect of Gencalc acetate on the progression of vascular or soft tissue calcification has not been determined.
Hypercalcemia (>11 mg/dL) was reported in 16% of patients in a 3 month study of solid dose formulation of Gencalc acetate; all cases resolved upon lowering the dose or discontinuing treatment.
Maintain the serum calcium-phosphorus (Ca x P) product below 55 mg2/dL2.
Hypercalcemia may aggravate digitalis toxicity.
Hypercalcemia is discussed elsewhere [see Warnings and Precautions ].
- The most common (>10%) adverse reactions are hypercalcemia, nausea and vomiting. (6.1)
- In clinical studies, patients have occasionally experienced nausea during Gencalc acetate therapy. (6)
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp. at 1-800-962-8364 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In clinical studies, Gencalc acetate has been generally well tolerated.
Gencalc acetate was studied in a 3 month, open-label, non-randomized study of 98 enrolled ESRD hemodialysis patients and an alternate liquid formulation of Gencalc acetate was studied in a two week double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with 69 enrolled ESRD hemodialysis patients. Adverse reactions (>2% on treatment) from these trials are presented in Table 1.
Preferred Term | Total adverse reactions reported for Gencalc acetate N=167 N (%) | 3 month, open label study of Gencalc acetate N=98 N (%) | Double blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of liquid Gencalc acetate N=69 | |
Gencalc acetate N (%) | Placebo N (%) | |||
Nausea | 6 (3.6) | 6 (6.1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Vomiting | 4 (2.4) | 4 (4.1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
Hypercalcemia | 21 (12.6) | 16 (16.3) | 5 (7.2) | 0 (0) |
Mild hypercalcemia may be asymptomatic or manifest itself as constipation, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. More severe hypercalcemia is associated with confusion, delirium, stupor, and coma. Decreasing dialysate Gencalc concentration could reduce the incidence and severity of Gencalc acetate-induced hypercalcemia. Isolated cases pruritus have been reported, which may represent allergic reactions.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval of Gencalc acetate: dizziness, edema, and weakness.
The drug interaction of Gencalc acetate is characterized by the potential of Gencalc to bind to drugs with anionic functions. Gencalc acetate may decrease the bioavailability of tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones via this mechanism.
There are no empirical data on avoiding drug interactions between Gencalc acetate and most concomitant drugs. When administering an oral medication with Gencalc acetate where a reduction in the bioavailability of that medication would have a clinically significant effect on its safety or efficacy, administer the drug one hour before or three hours after Gencalc acetate. Monitor blood levels of the concomitant drugs that have a narrow therapeutic range. Patients taking anti-arrhythmic medications for the control of arrhythmias and anti-seizure medications for the control of seizure disorders were excluded from the clinical trials with all forms of Gencalc acetate.
- Calcium acetate may decrease the bioavailability of tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones. (7)
- When clinically significant drug interactions are expected, administer the drug at least one hour before or at least three hours after Gencalc acetate or consider monitoring blood levels of the drug. (7)
In a study of 15 healthy subjects, a co-administered single dose of 4 Gencalc acetate tablets, approximately 2.7g, decreased the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin by approximately 50%.
Pregnancy Category C:
Gencalc acetate capsules contains Gencalc acetate. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Gencalc acetate, and there are no adequate and well controlled studies of Gencalc acetate use in pregnant women. Patients with end stage renal disease may develop hypercalcemia with Gencalc acetate treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ]. Maintenance of normal serum Gencalc levels is important for maternal and fetal well being. Hypercalcemia during pregnancy may increase the risk for maternal and neonatal complications such as stillbirth, preterm delivery, and neonatal hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism. Gencalc acetate treatment, as recommended, is not expected to harm a fetus if maternal Gencalc levels are properly monitored during and following treatment.
The effects of Gencalc acetate on labor and delivery are unknown.
Gencalc Acetate Capsules contains Gencalc acetate and is excreted in human milk. Human milk feeding by a mother receiving Gencalc acetate is not expected to harm an infant, provided maternal serum Gencalc levels are appropriately monitored.
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Clinical studies of Gencalc acetate did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Administration of Gencalc acetate in excess of the appropriate daily dosage may result in hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Gencalc acetate acts as a phosphate binder. Its chemical name is Gencalc acetate. Its molecular formula is C4H6CaO4, and its molecular weight is 158.17. Its structural formula is:
Each white opaque/blue opaque capsule contains 667 mg of Gencalc acetate USP (anhydrous; Ca(CH3COO)2; MW=158.17 grams) equal to 169 mg (8.45 mEq) Gencalc, polyethylene glycol 8000 and magnesium stearate. Each capsule shell contains: black monogramming ink, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #3, gelatin and titanium dioxide. The black monogramming ink contains: ammonium hydroxide, iron oxide black, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol and shellac glaze.
Gencalc Acetate Capsules are administered orally for the control of hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal failure.
Patients with ESRD retain phosphorus and can develop hyperphosphatemia. High serum phosphorus can precipitate serum Gencalc resulting in ectopic calcification. Hyperphosphatemia also plays a role in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with ESRD.
Gencalc acetate, when taken with meals, combines with dietary phosphate to form an insoluble Gencalc phosphate complex, which is excreted in the feces, resulting in decreased serum phosphorus concentration.
Orally administered Gencalc acetate from pharmaceutical dosage forms is systemically absorbed up to approximately 40% under fasting conditions and up to approximately 30% under nonfasting conditions. This range represents data from both healthy subjects and renal dialysis patients under various conditions.
No carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or fertility studies have been conducted with Gencalc acetate.
Effectiveness of Gencalc acetate in decreasing serum phosphorus has been demonstrated in two studies of the Gencalc acetate solid oral dosage form.
Ninety-one patients with end-stage renal disease who were undergoing hemodialysis and were hyperphosphatemic (serum phosphorus >5.5 mg/dL) following a 1 week phosphate binder washout period contributed efficacy data to an open-label, non-randomized study.
The patients received Gencalc acetate 667 mg tablets at each meal for a period of 12 weeks. The initial starting dose was 2 tablets per meal for 3 meals a day, and the dose was adjusted as necessary to control serum phosphorus levels. The average final dose after 12 weeks of treatment was 3.4 tablets per meal. Although there was a decrease in serum phosphorus, in the absence of a control group the true magnitude of effect is uncertain.
The data presented in Table 2 demonstrate the efficacy of Gencalc acetate in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease patients. The effects on serum Gencalc levels are also presented.
* Ninety-one patients completed at least 6 weeks of the study. † ANOVA of difference in values at pre-study and study completion. ‡ Values expressed as mean ± SE. | |||||
Parameter | Pre-Study | Week 4* | Week 8 | Week 12 | p-value† |
Phosphorus (mg/dL)‡ | 7.4 ± 0.17 | 5.9 ± 0.16 | 5.6 ± 0.17 | 5.2 ± 0.17 | ≤0.01 |
Gencalc (mg/dL)‡ | 8.9 ± 0.09 | 9.5 ± 0.10 | 9.7 ± 0.10 | 9.7 ± 0.10 | ≤0.01 |
There was a 30% decrease in serum phosphorus levels during the 12 week study period (p<0.01). Two-thirds of the decline occurred in the first month of the study. Serum Gencalc increased 9% during the study mostly in the first month of the study.
Treatment with the phosphate binder was discontinued for patients from the open-label study, and those patients whose serum phosphorus exceeded 5.5 mg/dL were eligible for entry into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Patients were randomized to receive Gencalc acetate or placebo, and each continued to receive the same number of tablets as had been individually established during the previous study. Following 2 weeks of treatment, patients switched to the alternative therapy for an additional 2 weeks.
The phosphate binding effect of Gencalc acetate is shown in the Table 3.
* ANOVA of Gencalc acetate vs. placebo after 2 weeks of treatment. † Values expressed as mean ± SEM. | ||||
Parameter | Pre-Study | Post-Treatment | p-value* | |
Gencalc Acetate | Placebo | |||
Phosphorus (mg/dL)† | 7.3 ± 0.18 | 5.9 ± 0.24 | 7.8 ± 0.22 | <0.01 |
Gencalc (mg/dL)† | 8.9 ± 0.11 | 9.5 ± 0.13 | 8.8 ± 0.12 | <0.01 |
Overall, 2 weeks of treatment with Gencalc acetate statistically significantly (p<0.01) decreased serum phosphorus by a mean of 19% and increased serum Gencalc by a statistically significant (p<0.01) but clinically unimportant mean of 7%.
Gencalc Acetate Capsules
667 mg capsule is supplied as a white opaque/blue opaque capsule, imprinted with “54 215” on the cap and body.
NDC 0615-2303-39: Blistercards of 30 Capsules
NDC 0615-2303-30: Unit-dose Boxes of 30 Capsules
STORAGE
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
Inform patients to take Gencalc acetate capsules with meals, adhere to their prescribed diets, and avoid the use of Gencalc supplements including nonprescription antacids. Inform the patients about the symptoms of hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].
Advise patients who are taking an oral medication where reduction in the bioavailability of that medication would have clinically significant effect on its safety or efficacy to take the drug one hour before or three hours after Gencalc acetate capsules.
Distr. by: West-Ward
Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Eatontown, NJ 07724
10003705/05
Revised April 2016
Depending on the reaction of the Gencalc after taken, if you are feeling dizziness, drowsiness or any weakness as a reaction on your body, Then consider Gencalc not safe to drive or operate heavy machine after consumption. Meaning that, do not drive or operate heavy duty machines after taking the capsule if the capsule has a strange reaction on your body like dizziness, drowsiness. As prescribed by a pharmacist, it is dangerous to take alcohol while taking medicines as it exposed patients to drowsiness and health risk. Please take note of such effect most especially when taking Primosa capsule. It's advisable to consult your doctor on time for a proper recommendation and medical consultations.
Is Gencalc addictive or habit forming?Medicines are not designed with the mind of creating an addiction or abuse on the health of the users. Addictive Medicine is categorically called Controlled substances by the government. For instance, Schedule H or X in India and schedule II-V in the US are controlled substances.
Please consult the medicine instruction manual on how to use and ensure it is not a controlled substance.In conclusion, self medication is a killer to your health. Consult your doctor for a proper prescription, recommendation, and guidiance.
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The information was verified by Dr. Rachana Salvi, MD Pharmacology