Cinacalet
Cinacalcet is used to control high parathyroid hormone levels by binding to calcium-sensing receptors in the parathyroid gland. This increases the sensitivity to calcium levels outside the cells, and thus reducing the amount of parathyroid hormone produced.
- Take exactly as how your healthcare professional has told you.
- Do not stop your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
- Take the medication with food or after food for better absorption.
- Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush, break or chew.
- If you forget to take a dose, do it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
The side effects for Cinacalcet are usually mild and generally well tolerated. They include the following:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain or weakness
These symptoms may happen but should get better over time. Check with your doctor if any of these symptoms are serious or do not go away.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Very rarely, Cinacalcet may cause dangerously low calcium levels. Symptoms include one of more of the following:
- Muscle cramps
- Numbness or tingling in hands, feet or face
- Irregular heartbeat
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from light. Keep this medication away from children.
Discard the medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.
