Table 2. Main phosphate binders with their respective characteristics.

Binder	Binder capacity	Advantages	Side effects
Calcium carbonate (40% elemental calcium)	Low	Low cost	- Constipation - Hypercalcemia and metastatic calcification
Calcium acetate (25% elemental calcium)	Moderate	Higher binder capacity with lower calcium supply than calcium carbonate	- Constipation and nausea - Hypercalcemia and metastatic calcification
Sevelamer hydrochloride	Moderate	Contains no aluminum or calcium	- Diarrhea or constipation, flatulence, nausea and dyspepsia