Aluminum Hydroxide is a phosphorus binder for cats and dogs with renal failure. Aluminum Hydroxide powder is the most popular form of this medication and currently has an expiration of March 2016. Aluminum Hydroxide Capsules and Suspension require a prescription. Aluminum Hydroxide powder does not require a prescription. The technical name of Aluminum Hydroxide Powder is Dried Aluminum Hydroxide Gel Powder, USP. Aluminum Hydroxide suspension is sold in multiples of 30 mls and expires 3 months from the date it is compounded. Aluminum Hydroxide capsules are sold individually and expire in 1 year. Aluminum Hydroxide should be administered with food. This is a dose-to-effect medication.
A 2001 study by Peter Markewell (BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS) for the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition found that "...using a phosphate- and protein-restricted diet, in combination with oral phosphorus-binding agents in those cats in which control of hyperphosphatemia [high phosphorus] and RHPTH [renal secondary hyperparathyroidism] was not achieved by diet alone, resulted in more than doubling of average survival time from the commencement of treatment."
For dosing information please see Dr. Larry Nagode's dosing recommendations here-David Jacobson's Phosphorus Binder Page
Aluminum Hydroxide powder contains 1200 mg of Aluminum Hydroxide per teaspoon. Please note that this is not how much a teaspoon of the powder will weigh since the powder is not 100% pure. To meet the US Pharmacopeia standard, the powder must be a minimum of 76.5% pure. There are approximately 300 teaspoons of powder in the 1 pound jar of Aluminum Hydroxide powder and approximately 18 teaspoons of powder per ounce.
