Cinacalcet

Cinacalcet is used to treat high calcium levels in the blood and hyperparathyroidism. It works by controlling the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and phosphorus in your body.

Cinacalcet may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It can be taken with or without food. It should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the dose and how often you should take them. You should take this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it. Do not stop taking the medicine even if you feel better unless the doctor tells you so.

The most common side effects of this medicine are nausea and vomiting. It may also cause other side effects such as headaches, diarrhea, rash, and muscle pain. Let your doctor know if any of these side effects do not go away with time or get worse, or if you experienced any other symptoms which you think are caused by this medicine.

Before using this medicine, inform your doctor if you have any problems with your heart, liver, or ever had seizures (fits or convulsions). You should also tell your doctor all the other medications you are taking. If you have low levels of calcium in your body, you should not take this medicine. Your doctor may monitor your blood calcium level while on treatment with this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should ask their doctors' advice before taking this medicine.

• Treatment of High calcium levels in the blood
• Treatment of Hyperparathyroidism

Treatment of High calcium levels in the blood
Calcium is a mineral found in different places in your body and has many functions including bone growth. Most of your calcium should be in your bones. When you have more calcium in your blood than normal it is called hypercalcemia. Cinacalcet reduces the amount of calcium in your blood.

Being immobile makes hypercalcemia worse. Whenever possible you should take regular exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise. Do not take calcium or vitamin D3 supplements and try to decrease your intake of these in your diet.

Treatment of Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which the parathyroid glands become overactive and secrete too much parathyroid hormone. This leads to high levels of calcium in our blood, a condition called hypercalcemia. Cinacalcet helps reduce this increased secretion of parathyroid hormone and restores the calcium levels to normal. It helps prevent complications of hypercalcemia such as osteoporosis (a bone disorder), frequent fracture, reduced height, kidney stones etc.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Cinacet

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Rash
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Diarrhea

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Cinacalcet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Cinacalcet works by lowering a chemical (parathyroid hormone), which makes calcium level go back to normal.

• Cinacalcet treats hyperparathyroidism and high calcium levels in the blood.
• It should be taken with or shortly after food.
• Cinacalcet may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
• Inform your doctor if you start or stop smoking during treatment with Cinacalcet.
• Your doctor may monitor your calcium levels regularly during treatment with Cinacalcet. Inform your doctor if you notice signs of low calcium levels such as numbness or tingling around the mouth or muscle aches.
• Inform your doctor if you have a history of seizures, heart problems, or liver problems.

Friedman PA. Agents Affecting Mineral Ion Homeostasis and Bone Turnover. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1297-98.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 273-74.

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