Clinical pharmacology of sodium cellulose phosphate.

The safety and effectiveness of sodium cellulose phosphate (SCP) in the treatment of calcium urolithiasis of absorptive hypercalciuria was explored. Eighteen patients with absorptive hypercalciuria with intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium, normal or suppressed parathyroid function, and active stone disease received 10 to 15 Gm SCP daily (2.5 to 5 Gm with meals) and 2 to 3 Gm magnesium gluconate daily (1 to 1.5 Gm twice daily orally separately from SCP) for eight to 54 months, while maintained on a moderate calcium and oxalate restriction. During treatment, serum calcium, immunoreactive parathyroid hormone, and urinary cyclic AMP remained within the normal range. Serum alkaline phosphatase and bone density (measured by photon absorptiometry) did not change significantly or remained within normal limits. Serum concentrations of magnesium, copper, zinc, and iron and blood hematocrit were not significantly altered by therapy. However, urinary calcium returned toward normal, and incidence of renal stone formation markedly decreased. The results suggest that SCP is a safe and an effective drug for absorptive hypercalciuria.