Pronunciation: par-i-KAL-si-tol
Generic Name: Paricalcitol
Brand Name: Zemplar
Zemplar Capsules is used for:
Preventing and treating high levels of parathyroid hormone in certain patients with chronic kidney disease.
Zemplar Capsules is a vitamin D compound. It works by blocking the formation and release of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Do NOT use Zemplar Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Zemplar Capsules
- you have high levels of vitamin D or calcium in the blood
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Zemplar Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Zemplar Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have heart problems (eg, an irregular heartbeat), hardening or narrowing of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), high blood phosphate levels, liver problems, or seizures
- if you are taking a calcium supplement or a calcium-based phosphate binder (eg, calcium acetate)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zemplar Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of high blood calcium levels may be increased
- Aluminum-containing products (eg, antacids, phosphate binders) because the risk of high blood aluminum levels and aluminum bone toxicity may be increased
- Digitalis medicines (eg, digoxin) because the risk of toxicity may be increased by Zemplar Capsules
- Clarithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir, saquinavir), imidazole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole), nefazodone, telithromycin, or voriconazole because side effects of Zemplar Capsules may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zemplar Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Zemplar Capsules:
Use Zemplar Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Zemplar Capsules may be taken with or without food.
- If you take cholestyramine or mineral oil, do not take them at the same time you take Zemplar Capsules. Talk with your doctor about how you should take them with Zemplar Capsules.
- If you miss a dose of Zemplar Capsules and you are taking it once daily, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If you miss a dose of Zemplar Capsules and you are taking it three times weekly, contact your doctor for instructions.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zemplar Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Zemplar Capsules may cause dizziness or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zemplar Capsules with caution. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Carefully follow the diet instructions given to you by your health care provider, including instructions on vitamin D and phosphorus restrictions and calcium supplementation.
- Before you begin taking any new prescription or nonprescription medicine, including vitamin or mineral products, read the ingredients to see if it contains vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus. If it does or if you are not sure, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
- Avoid excessive use of aluminum-containing products (eg, antacids, phosphate binders) while you are taking Zemplar Capsules.
- Lab tests, including blood calcium, phosphorus, and PTH levels, may be performed while you take Zemplar Capsules. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Zemplar Capsules with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Zemplar Capsules while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zemplar Capsules is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Zemplar Capsules.
Possible side effects of Zemplar Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; light-headedness; nausea.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); black, tarry, or bloody stools; chest pain; depression; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; irregular heartbeat; muscle cramps or spasms; painful urination; pounding in the chest; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; stomach pain; swelling of the hands or feet; symptoms of high blood calcium levels (eg, confusion, constipation, increased thirst or urination, loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, trouble thinking, vomiting, weight loss); trouble breathing; unusual or severe dry eyes, mouth, or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Zemplar side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include irregular heartbeat; muscle cramps or spasms; seizures; stomach pain; symptoms of high blood calcium levels (eg, confusion, constipation, increased thirst or urination, loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, trouble thinking, vomiting, weight loss).
Proper storage of Zemplar Capsules:
Store Zemplar Capsules at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zemplar Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Zemplar Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Zemplar Capsules is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zemplar Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Zemplar resources
- Zemplar Side Effects (in more detail)
- Zemplar Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Zemplar Drug Interactions
- Zemplar Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Zemplar - Add your own review/rating
Compare Zemplar with other medications
- Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
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