PhosLo (Calcium Acetate): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and Australia Availability

Aug, 22 2025

You searched for PhosLo because you want the exact facts-what it is, how to use it safely, and where to get reliable details without wading through fluff. Here’s the quick path to the official label, a plain-English breakdown of dosing and side effects, plus what this means if you live in Australia (where the brand name may differ).

Set expectations: PhosLo is a brand of calcium acetate, a phosphate binder for people with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis. It’s effective when taken with meals, but it can raise calcium levels if it’s pushed too hard or combined with other calcium or vitamin D. Below, you’ll find trusted sources, step-by-step directions, and practical tips that people on dialysis actually use.

Where to find official PhosLo information now

If you want the approved prescribing details (the legal, clinical label), use these steps. You don’t need a link-just follow the cues and you’ll land on the right page fast.

1. Open your search engine and type: “DailyMed PhosLo calcium acetate capsule label”.
   • Open the result that says “DailyMed” and shows “calcium acetate capsules” or “PhosLo”.
   • On that page, look for sections titled “Indications and Usage”, “Dosage and Administration”, and “Warnings and Precautions”.
2. For the official patient leaflet in the US, search: “FDA Medication Guide PhosLo calcium acetate”.
   • Choose the FDA or DailyMed entry that lists patient information.
   • Use it to check the plain-language directions and common side effects.
3. In Australia, the name “PhosLo” may not appear on shelves. To confirm what’s registered:
   • Search: “TGA ARTG calcium acetate”.
   • Open the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s ARTG search, type “calcium acetate”, and filter for “Registered” medicines.
   • Open the relevant entry for dosing form (capsule/tablet) and manufacturer details.
4. To check subsidised options in Australia:
   • Search: “PBS schedule phosphate binder”.
   • Open the PBS site and look for listings under sevelamer, lanthanum, and sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Calcium acetate products may not be PBS-subsidised in all cases; confirm with your pharmacist or nephrology team.
5. For kidney-specific guidance that’s patient-friendly:
   • Search: “Kidney Health Australia phosphate binders booklet”.
   • Look for Kidney Health Australia’s resources on CKD-MBD and high phosphate-useful for meal planning and binder timing.

Credible sources for clinicians and patients include: the FDA/DailyMed Prescribing Information for calcium acetate capsules, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD-MBD guideline updates, the TGA ARTG and Consumer Medicines Information, and Kidney Health Australia. These are the references your care team uses.

What PhosLo is and who should consider it

PhosLo is the brand name for calcium acetate, a phosphate binder. Its job is simple: when you take it with food, it binds the phosphate in your meal in your gut so less phosphate reaches your blood. That helps control high phosphate levels in people with kidney failure on dialysis.

Who it’s for:

• Adults with end-stage kidney disease on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis who have high serum phosphate.
• People whose phosphate is not controlled with diet alone (which is common-even very strict diets often aren’t enough).

Who it’s not for:

• People with high blood calcium (hypercalcaemia). Taking a calcium-based binder can push calcium even higher.
• People not on dialysis with normal kidney function-this is not a general “phosphate reducer.”
• Anyone who’s already getting high doses of calcium or strong vitamin D analogues without close monitoring.

How it works in plain language: phosphate in your meal meets calcium acetate in your gut; they stick to each other and form a compound you poop out. Less phosphate absorbed means your blood phosphate drops over time.

What “good control” looks like: dialysis targets are usually a serum phosphate around 1.1-1.8 mmol/L (roughly 3.5-5.5 mg/dL), guided by your team. Targets may be personalised based on bone disease and PTH levels (per KDIGO CKD-MBD guidance).

How to take PhosLo safely: dosing, timing, monitoring

Stick to your prescriber’s plan. Use the below as a practical map to discuss with your renal team or pharmacist.

Typical dosing pattern

• Starting dose (adults): commonly 2 capsules (each 667 mg) with each main meal.
• Titration: adjusted every 2-3 weeks based on blood tests until your phosphate is in range; many people end up at 3-4 capsules with each meal. That’s a lot of capsules-that’s normal for binders.
• Snacks: small snacks that contain phosphate may need a capsule; your team will say when to add one.

Rules of thumb that help in real life:

• Only with food. No meal = no binder. If you skip a meal, skip the dose.
• Time it right. Start near the first bites of the meal. If you forget, taking it late after you’ve finished eating won’t help much.
• Keep doses steady. Big meals usually need higher doses than small meals; your team may give a flexible plan (e.g., 2 caps breakfast, 3 caps lunch, 4 caps dinner).
• Hydration matters. Constipation is a thing with calcium binders; aim for fibre and fluid as advised (dialysis patients often have strict fluid limits-follow your plan).

What to monitor

• Serum phosphate and calcium every few weeks during titration, then regularly.
• Signs of high calcium: constipation, nausea, muscle weakness, confusion, or feeling “slowed.” Report these quickly.
• PTH and alkaline phosphatase as part of your CKD-MBD panel, guided by your nephrologist.

Smart separation from other medicines

• Levothyroxine: separate by at least 4 hours (binders can block absorption).
• Fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines (some antibiotics): separate by several hours as advised by your pharmacist or prescriber.
• Iron supplements: may also need spacing; check timing with your pharmacist.
• Vitamin D analogues (e.g., calcitriol, alfacalcidol): increase calcium absorption-your doctor may reduce dose or switch binders if calcium climbs.

If you miss a dose

• If you forgot during the meal and it’s been a while, skip it. Don’t double the next dose.
• If you remember while still eating, go ahead and take it.

Everyday practical tips

• Keep a small pill case in your bag or dialysis tote for meals out.
• Use a simple meal rule: “protein and dairy usually mean binders.” Your renal dietitian can personalise this.
• Don’t crush or open capsules unless your pharmacist says it’s okay for your specific product.
• Tell your care team about calcium in multivitamins and antacids-they add up.

Side effects, interactions, and when to avoid it

Most people do fine with calcium acetate when it’s monitored. The main issues come from too much calcium or from taking it too close to interacting meds.

Common side effects

• Constipation, gas, nausea
• Upset stomach, mild abdominal discomfort

Serious or watch-list issues

• Hypercalcaemia (high calcium): can cause confusion, weakness, arrhythmia risk; shows up in bloods and with symptoms. Needs dose changes or binder switch.
• Worsening vascular calcification risk over the long term when calcium load is high-one reason many centres prefer non-calcium binders if calcium runs high.
• Digitalis (digoxin) toxicity risk goes up if calcium spikes-flag this with your team if you’re on digoxin.

Interactions to know cold

• Thyroid replacement (levothyroxine): binders can block it. Separate by 4 hours.
• Certain antibiotics (quinolones, tetracyclines): space out by several hours per your pharmacist’s guidance.
• Other calcium sources (antacids, supplements) and strong vitamin D: raise calcium; your team may adjust or switch binders.
• Iron and phosphate supplements: timing matters-often avoid taking with binders.

Who should avoid or be cautious

• People with high blood calcium now or a history of hard-to-control hypercalcaemia.
• Those with severe constipation or bowel blockage risk-talk with your clinician.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: discuss risks and benefits; there’s limited data and dosing should be specialist-led.

Authoritative sources for these safety points include the FDA-approved Prescribing Information for calcium acetate capsules (PhosLo), KDIGO CKD-MBD guidance, and TGA Consumer Medicines Information.

Availability in Australia, alternatives, and common questions

In Australia, you might not see “PhosLo” branded stock at your local pharmacy. Calcium acetate products may appear under the generic name “calcium acetate” or different brand names. Many dialysis units source binders directly for patients, and non-calcium binders are frequently used when calcium runs high.

What’s often used here:

• Sevelamer (Renagel/Renvela): non-calcium binder; widely used and PBS-listed.
• Lanthanum (Fosrenol): non-calcium binder; chewable; PBS-listed.
• Sucroferric oxyhydroxide (Velphoro): iron-based binder; lower pill burden; PBS-listed in many cases.
• Calcium acetate: availability varies by brand and funding; check with your dialysis unit or pharmacist.

Here’s a quick side-by-side to help your next clinic chat. This is a general snapshot; dosing is individualised.

Note on cost and access (Australia): non-calcium binders are often PBS-listed for dialysis patients, reducing out-of-pocket costs. Calcium acetate availability and subsidy vary; pharmacies can order it if a specific product is prescribed, but your unit may suggest a locally available alternative. Always check with your renal pharmacist-they know what’s on hand in your area.

Mini-FAQ

• Is PhosLo the same as calcium acetate? Yes. PhosLo is a brand; the active ingredient is calcium acetate.
• Can I take it without food? No. It won’t work properly; it needs food phosphate to bind.
• What if I’m on vitamin D? Vitamin D can push calcium up. Your team might lower your binder dose or switch to a non-calcium binder if calcium rises.
• Does it affect potassium? No. It targets phosphate, not potassium. That said, diet plans often cover both.
• Can I drink milk with it? Dairy has phosphate and calcium. Your dietitian will set portions; the binder helps with phosphate but adds calcium-balance is key.

Next steps and troubleshooting

• If your phosphate is still high after 4-6 weeks on a stable dose, ask about dose increases, snack coverage, or switching to a non-calcium binder.
• If your calcium climbs above range, discuss cutting the dose or changing to sevelamer/lanthanum/sucroferric oxyhydroxide.
• If constipation is bad, ask about stool softeners, fibre options safe for your fluid plan, or changing binders.
• If your pharmacy can’t supply “PhosLo” in Australia, ask for a script specifying “calcium acetate” or an alternative the unit stocks and that’s PBS-listed.
• Bring your full med list to dialysis clinic; ask your pharmacist to set exact timing with levothyroxine, antibiotics, and iron.

Why this guidance is trusted: it lines up with FDA/DailyMed Prescribing Information for calcium acetate capsules (PhosLo), KDIGO CKD-MBD recommendations for phosphate targets and binder selection, and Australian regulatory sources (TGA ARTG/CMI and PBS listings). Use this as your prep, then personalise with your nephrologist and renal dietitian. That’s how you keep phosphate in range without the side-effect detours.