Sensipar


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Generic Name: cinacalcet
(sin ah CAL set)

What is Sensipar?

Sensipar is an agent that increases the sensitivity of the parathyroid gland to calcium in the body. This causes a decrease in levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and phosphorous in the body.

Sensipar is used to reduce elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in people with chronic renal disease who are on dialysis. Cinacalcet is also used to lower calcium levels in patients with cancer of the parathyroid gland.

Sensipar may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience muscle pain, cramping, twitching, or spasms; numbness or tingling; or seizures. These may be early signs of not enough calcium in the body.

Take Sensipar with food or immediately following a meal.

Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole.

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

Do not take Sensipar if you have low levels of calcium in your body. This may be determined by blood tests.

Before taking Sensipar talk to your doctor if you have

  • liver disease; or
  • a history of seizures.

    • You may not be able to take Sensipar, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

    Sensipar is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether cinacalcet will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take cinacalcet without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

    It is not known whether Sensipar passes into breast milk. It is recommended that breast-feeding be discontinued during treatment with cinacalcet. Do not take cinacalcet without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

    How should I take Sensipar?

    Take Sensipar exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

    Take Sensipar with food or immediately following a meal.

    Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole.

    It is important to take Sensipar regularly to get the most benefit.

    Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with Sensipar to monitor progress and side effects.

    Store Sensipar at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

    What happens if I miss a dose?

    Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

    What happens if I overdose?

    Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

    Symptoms of a Sensipar overdose are not known but may include seizures, muscle pain, numbness and tingling, and twitching.

    What should I avoid while taking Sensipar?

    There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with Sensipar unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

    What are the possible side effects of Sensipar?

    Contact your doctor immediately if you experience muscle pain, cramping, twitching, or spasms; numbness or tingling; or seizures. These may be early signs of not enough calcium in the body.

    If you experience a rare but serious allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking Sensipar and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

    Other less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take Sensipar and talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:

    • nausea or vomiting
    • decreased appetite
    • diarrhea; or
    • dizziness.

    Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    What other drugs will affect Sensipar?

    Before taking Sensipar, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

    • ketoconazole
    • tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
    • flecainide (Tambocor)
    • thioridazine (Mellaril)
    • vinblastine (Velban, others)
    • itraconazole; or
    • erythromycin.

    You may not be able to take Sensipar, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

    Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Sensipar. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

    Where can I get more information?

    Your pharmacist has additional information about Sensipar written for health professionals that you may read.

    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.

    Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision Date: 4/12/2009.