Abstract
Sodium arginate has been reported to have hematostatic effects, and prescribed safely for patients with renal failure. There are no side effect other than mild constipation or diarrhea known to date, but we have observed an interaction with calcium bicarbonate, major phosphate binder in Japan, in 2 patients receiving hemodialysis. The reason for clinical observation, the increase in serum phosphate concentration with the administration of sodium arginate, was supposed by experiment. Contrary to our expectation that sodium arginate and calcium would form a compound, sodium arginate swallowed up the calcium bicarbonate in acidified saline. It is recommended that the hours of administration be staggered when both agents are prescribed.
