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EspañolZemplar overview
BRAND NAMES:
Zemplar, Zemplar, Zemplar
Generic Names:
Paricalcitol
Uses:
Treats and prevents hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis., Treats and prevents hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis.
Therapeutic Classes:
Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Endocrine-Metabolic Agent
Forms:
Liquid Filled Capsule, Injectable
How it’s taken:
By injection, By mouth
What form(s) does Zemplar come in
Liquid Filled Capsule
Injectable
What are common Zemplar doses?
Capsule 1MCG
Capsule 2MCG
Vial 1ML of 5MCG/ML
Common Zemplar prescriptions
Zemplar
1mcg capsuleZemplar
2mcg capsuleZemplar
1ml of 2mcg/ml vialZemplar
1ml of 5mcg/ml vialZemplar
2ml of 5mcg/ml vial
How to take Zemplar
Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet and use of vitamin or mineral supplements.
Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet and use of vitamin or mineral supplements.
Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet and use of vitamin and mineral supplements.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet and use of vitamin and mineral supplements.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
What to do if you miss a dose of Zemplar
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Zemplar contraindications
You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to paricalcitol, or if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood.
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to paricalcitol, or if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood.
Zemplar warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bone disease, heart disease, heart rhythm problems (such as arrhythmia), or seizures.
This medicine may cause the following problems:Hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood)Increase aluminum in the blood and may cause harm to your bones
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, or vomiting.
Eye redness, or sensitivity to light.
Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat.
Feeling confused, depressed, or nervous.
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
Severe muscle pain or bone pain.
Sudden and severe stomach pain.
Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite.
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have bone disease or heart rhythm problems.
This medicine may increase the calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia). The symptoms of high calcium may include abdominal or stomach pain; confusion; constipation; depression; dry mouth; headache; incoherent speech; increased urination; loss of appetite; metallic taste; muscle weakness; nausea; thirst; unusual tiredness; vomiting; or weight loss. If you have any of these symptoms, check with your doctor immediately.
This medicine may increase the aluminum in your blood and may cause harm to your bones if used together with products containing aluminum (eg, antacids or phosphate binders). Ask your doctor before you take any of these medicines.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Fever, chills, sore throat, and body aches.
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
Severe muscle pain or bone pain.
Sudden and severe stomach pain.
Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite.
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Unusual tiredness or weakness.
Zemplar interactions
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using digoxin (Lanoxin®) or nefazodone (Serzone®). Tell your doctor if you are using a diuretic or "water pill" (such as hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ]), medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, telithromycin, Biaxin®, or Ketek®), medicine to treat a fungal infection (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, Nizoral®, Sporanox®, or Vfend®), or medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, Crixivan®, Fortovase®, Invirase®, Norvir®, Reyataz®, or Viracept®).
Your doctor may tell you to limit your dietary intake of phosphate. Foods that are high in phosphate include beans, beer, chocolate, cheese, cola soft drinks, ice cream, milk, nuts, peas, whole grain products, and yogurt.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Do not use antacids or phosphate binders containing aluminum or supplements containing vitamin D, phosphate, or calcium without asking your doctor.
Some foods and medicines can affect how paricalcitol works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Boceprevir, cholestyramine, clarithromycin, conivaptan, digoxin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir/ritonavir, mibefradil, mineral oil, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posaconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, voriconazoleDiuretic (water pill)
Do not use vitamin D, phosphate, or calcium supplements, or antacids or binders containing aluminum without asking your doctor.
Your doctor may tell you to limit your dietary intake of phosphate. Foods that are high in phosphate include beans, beer, chocolate, cheese, cola soft drinks, ice cream, milk, nuts, peas, whole grain products, and yogurt.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
Zemplar side effects
Serious Side Effects
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Severe muscle pain or bone pain.
Sudden and severe stomach pain.
Unusual tiredness or weakness.
Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite.
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate.
Chest pain, or fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
Cough, shortness of breath, or troubled breathing.
Fever, chills, sore throat, and body aches.
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Feeling tired, trouble thinking clearly, constipation, nausea, vomiting
Increase in how much or how often you urinate, increase thirst
Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite, diarrhea
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Trouble breathing
Stuffy or runny nose.
Trouble sleeping.
Unusual weakness or sleepiness.
Less Serious Side Effects
Eye pain, swelling of the eyes
Stuffy or runny nose
Dizziness
Dryness or metallic taste in your mouth.
Trouble sleeping.
Eye redness or sensitivity to light.
Diarrhea, constipation, nausea or vomiting, or upset stomach.
Mild muscle, joint, or back pain.
Mild skin rash or itching.