Phosphate and calcium are minerals needed to keep bones and teeth healthy. However, having high phosphate levels in the blood over a long period of time may lead to renal bone disease, a common complication of kidney failure.

Your doctor and dietitian will tell you if the phosphate levels in your blood are too high.

Many patients are prescribed phosphate binders to help reduce phosphate levels in their blood. These pills are made of substances such as:

These pills must be taken with food at mealtimes. They mix and bind in your stomach with the food you've just eaten. This prevents some of the phosphate in the food from being absorbed into your blood. Instead, it is removed in your feces.

If you forget to take binders before a meal it is better to take them during or shortly after your meal rather than not at all.

Calcium acetate must be taken with food, otherwise you may suffer from an upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting.

Since phosphate binders may contain calcium, your doctor will need to monitor the level of calcium in your blood, as well as the level of phosphate.

Your dietitian will tell you if you need to change your diet to lower your phosphate levels.