cinacalcet

What is the most important information I should know about cinacalcet?

What is cinacalcet?

Cinacalcet decreases levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and phosphorous in the body.

Cinacalcet is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive functioning of the parathyroid glands) in people who are on long-term dialysis for kidney disease.

Cinacalcet is also used to treat hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood) in people with cancer of the parathyroid gland, and in people with overactive parathyroid glands that cannot be treated surgically.

Cinacalcet may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cinacalcet?

• low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia).

To make sure cinacalcet is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high or low blood pressure;
• heart disease, heart failure, heart rhythm disorder;
• personal or family history of long QT syndrome;
• a stomach ulcer or severe vomiting;
• liver disease;
• seizures; or
• if you have kidney disease and you are not on dialysis.

How should I take cinacalcet?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

To be sure your calcium and phosphorous levels do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested 1 week after you start taking cinacalcet or whenever your dose is changed. You may also need blood tests on a regular basis during treatment.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking cinacalcet?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of cinacalcet?

• numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth;
• muscle pain, tightness, or contraction;
• a seizure (convulsions);
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
• signs of stomach bleeding --bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or
• low levels of calcium in your blood --numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, fast or slow heart rate, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting; or
• diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect cinacalcet?

Many drugs can interact with cinacalcet. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cinacalcet.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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