Questionnaire survey and serum phosphorus levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients switching lanthanum carbonate formulation from chewable tablets to granules.

We conducted a questionnaire survey of 79 maintenance hemodialysis patients switching lanthanum carbonate (LC) formulation from chewable tablets to granules, to investigate the compliance and patient preferences of these two formulations. For the number of times chewed when taking chewable tablets, the ratio of patients who responded 10 times or more was 54.4%, who responded four to nine times was 24.1% and who responded three times or less was 8.9%. Thirty-seven patients (46.8%) responded "Granules are easier to take", 22 patients (27.8%) responded "Chewable tablets are easier to take", and 20 patients (25.3%) responded "No difference between formulations." Changes in serum phosphorus (P) levels were also measured for 4 weeks after switching formulation, but no significant differences were observed before and after switching. We think that these questionnaire survey results show the compliance status and the patient needs for LC in the clinical practices.