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frequently-asked-questions 2022-01-13T04:14:46+00:00

FAQs

How do I purchase RENACIDIN?

Renacidin requires a doctor’s prescription. Take the prescription to your local chain or independent pharmacy. If your pharmacy does not stock Renacidin they can contact their wholesaler, many of which do stock it. If the wholesaler does not stock it, they can order it. Please contact us at 631-273-0900 if your pharmacy is having difficulty locating or ordering it. It is sold in units containing thirty 30 mL bottles and it is packed in cartons containing six of these units. The National Drug Code (NDC) for Renacidin in the 30 mL package size is 00327-0012-30.

Is RENACIDIN covered by insurance?

It is covered by many plans, including Medicare insurers, but not all plans cover it. If it is not covered by your plan it may require a statement of medical necessity from your doctor to your insurance company. Your doctor should include in his statement that Renacidin is the only product with a specific “Indication” for use in dissolving certain types of bladder calculi and preventing encrustations in urethral catheters and cystostomy tubes. Unfortunately, due to the excessive costs involved, this product is no longer available through state Medicaid programs.

What is the RENACIDIN solution strength?

The product is supplied as a 10% solution, which is the only solution strength that has been documented in the published literature on the product. On rare occasions, we have been advised by patients that their doctor has prescribed a 5% solution. There is no medical basis in the published literature for this strength of solution and no practical way to dilute and dispense a 5% solution without compromising the sterility of the product.

Is RENACIDIN still available in the 500 mL bottle?

Sale of the 500 mL bottle was discontinued on March 31, 2016, although it is possible that there might still be some bottles available at some pharmacies or drug wholesalers. The change to a single-dose, 30 mL size was the result of the closing of the facility that produced the 500 mL size, and the impracticality and cost of trying to find another facility that could manufacture that product for us, since it requires very specialized processing equipment. Over the years, we have had many requests to sell the product in a single-dose, 30mL size, which is the most commonly used dosage for the product. This single-dose size assures that the product that is used will always be sterile, and the new plastic bottle with a tapered tip allows the product to be easily used in most (but not all) catheters without the need for a syringe, which makes it much more convenient for most patients.

View Product Insert

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Who should not take RENACIDIN?

  • You should check with your doctor before taking Renacidin to make sure there is no urinary tract extravasation (leakage).
  • Renacidin Irrigation should be used with caution in patients taking medications containing magnesium.
  • It is not known whether Renacidin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Renacidin should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Renacidin.

Warnings about the use of RENACIDIN:

  • Renacidin use should be stopped immediately if you develop fever, signs and symptoms consistent with urinary tract infection, persistent pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, back, or sides, or if blood tests show elevated serum creatinine levels.
  • The contents of individual Renacidin containers should not be combined for use as continuous irrigation of the urinary tract because of complications that may arise from inadequate aseptic technique or inadequate terminal sterilization. Complications may include sepsis (a life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death), or hypermagnesemia (excess magnesium in the blood). In addition, there could be potential injury to product handlers (e.g., irritation to exposed, unprotected areas of the skin).
  • DO NOT use Renacidin for continuous irrigation of the upper urinary tract (kidneys). Serious adverse reactions (including sepsis and hypermagnesemia (see above) have been reported to occur when Renacidin was used for continuous irrigation of the upper urinary tract.

Before using RENACIDIN:

Before using RENACIDIN tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking. In addition:

  • Before starting RENACIDIN, patients with an indwelling urethral catheter or a cystostomy tube should confirm that they don’t have undiagnosed vesicoureteral reflux (a condition in which urine flows backward from the bladder into the ureters and/or kidneys). If reflux is found, you should discuss the situation with your physician to determine whether the potential benefits of the use of RENACIDIN outweigh the risks. If it is decided to begin using RENACIDIN then all recommended safety monitoring precautions for someone with vesicoureteral reflux should be strictly implemented.
  • You should be aware that mutagenicity studies (studies to determine whether a product is capable of causing genetic mutation), animal reproduction studies, and long-term studies to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of Renacidin, have not been conducted.
  • Nursing mothers should be aware that magnesium is known to be excreted (expelled by the body as waste) into human milk. It is not known whether Renacidin is excreted in human milk, but because many drugs are, caution should be exercised when Renacidin is administered to a woman who is nursing.

Precautions to take while using RENACIDIN:

  • Make sure that the flow through the urethral catheter or cystostomy tube remains unobstructed by flushing the catheter with saline and repositioning of the catheter. The flow should be monitored frequently by a nurse or other person with sufficient skills to be able to detect any problems with the flow through the catheter. At the first sign of catheter obstruction, Renacidin should be discontinued.
  • You should be monitored throughout the course of therapy with Renacidin. Blood tests to determine the levels of serum creatinine, phosphate and magnesium should be performed every several days. Use of RENACIDIN should be discontinued if there is elevated serum creatinine concentration.
  • Urine specimens should be collected for culture and antibacterial sensitivity approximately every three days and at the first sign of fever. Therapy with Renacidin should be stopped if any culture exhibits growth and appropriate antibacterial therapy should be initiated. Therapy with Renacidin may be started again after a course of antibacterial therapy upon demonstration of sterile urine.
  • Renacidin Irrigation should be used with caution in patients taking medications containing magnesium, since it may contribute to elevated levels of magnesium in the blood of certain patients, such as those with vesicoureteral reflux (see above).

How is RENACIDIN supplied?

Renacidin is available as a sterile solution in 30 mL single-use plastic bottles. It is sold in boxes of 30 bottles each. It does not require refrigeration, and should be stored at room temperature; 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C).

How do I use RENACIDIN?

RENACIDIN should be used exactly as directed by your doctor. Prior to using RENACIDIN, the solution should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration. If either is observed, the product should not be used, and you should notify your doctor.

To use RENACIDIN, remove the plastic tab connected to the conical tip of the Renacidin container by twisting the plastic tab (please see detailed instructions in the product insert), and then connect the conical tip of the Renacidin container to the end of the urethral catheter or cystostomy tube. Squeeze the Renacidin container to expel the entire contents into the urethral catheter or cystostomy tube.

  • Specific instructions for using RENACIDIN for the dissolution of calcifications in the bladder:
    1. Instill one 30 mL container of Renacidin into the bladder through the urethral catheter or cystostomy tube.
    2. Clamp the urethral catheter or cystostomy tube for 30 to 60 minutes.
    3. Release the clamp and drain the bladder.
    4. Repeat the procedure 4 to 6 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Monitor for dissolution of the calcifications.
  • Specific instructions for the prevention of calcifications or encrustations in urethral catheters and cystostomy tubes:
    1. Instill one 30 mL container of Renacidin into the urethral catheter or cystostomy tube.
    2. Clamp the urethral catheter or cystostomy tube for 10 minutes.
    3. Remove the clamp and drain the bladder.
    4. Repeat the procedure 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of RENACIDIN?

Renacidin may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Fever
  • urinary tract infections
  • elevated serum creatinine levels in the blood
  • discomfort in your upper abdomen, back, or sides

The most common side effects of RENACIDIN are “bladder irritability” (a condition where the muscles in the bladder contract involuntarily, resulting in a sudden, urgent, uncontrollable need to urinate) and chemical cystitis (an inflammation of the bladder caused by a reaction in the body to certain chemical substances, including certain hygiene products), which occur in approximately 3% of patients. In addition, less than 1% of patients receiving RENACIDIN will experience a transient (temporary or intermittent) burning sensation in the bladder following the introduction of Renacidin.

If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop using RENACIDIN immediately and notify your doctor right away. You are encouraged to report any negative side effects to the manufacturer, United-Guardian, Inc., at 631-273-0900, and to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088, or the FDA web site at ww.fda.gov/medwatch.

Need more information?

This is only a summary of important information regarding RENACIDIN. Ask your healthcare provider for complete product information.