Lanthanum carbonate
Lanthanum carbonate, La3, is the salt formed by lanthanum cations and carbonate anions.
Chemistry
Lanthanum carbonate is used as a starting material in lanthanum chemistry, particularly in forming mixed oxides, for example- for production of lanthanum strontium manganite, primarily for solid oxide fuel cell applications;
- for production of certain high-temperature superconductors, such as LaSrCuO.
Medical uses
Lanthanum carbonate is used in medicine as a phosphate binder. As a medication it is sold under the trade name Fosrenol by the pharmaceutical company Shire Pharmaceuticals. Due to its large size, it may be possible to choke on the tablet if it is not chewed. It is prescribed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia, primarily in patients with chronic kidney disease. It is taken with meals and binds to dietary phosphate, preventing phosphate from being absorbed by the intestine. For cats with hyperphosphatemia it is available under the trade name Renalzin by Bayer Animal Health.However, when lanthanum carbonate is used for treating hyperphosphatemia, its side effects, namely myalgia, muscular cramping, and peripheral edema, should be clinically monitored.