CINACALCET

Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic agent approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism.

Cinacalcet is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactivity of the parathyroid glands, which are small glands located in the neck) in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. It is also used to treat hypercalcemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma (a rare type of cancer that develops in the parathyroid glands). It helps regulate the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the body.

Take the Cinacalcet as advised by your physician. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the tablet if your doctor advises you to stop.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Cinacalcet are dizziness, loss of appetite, muscle pain, weakness, rash, low testosterone levels, high potassium levels in the blood, upper respiratory infection, headache, low bp, cough, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach and back pain, and constipation. Some serious side effects include numbness and tingling around the mouth, muscle cramps, seizures, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and allergic reactions.

Before consuming this drug, inform your physician if you have had liver or heart failure or heart rhythm problems and have a history of seizures (fits or convulsions), as the risk of having seizures might be higher if you've experienced them. Cinacalcet should not be taken by children under the age of 18 who have parathyroid cancer or primary hyperparathyroidism. This medication is not suitable for this age group for these conditions. If you are receiving treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism, your doctor will carefully monitor your calcium levels before you start using the drug and throughout your treatment with the medication.

Cinacalcet helps to reduce calcium levels in the body. However, in some cases, low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) have been reported in adults and children undergoing treatment. Therefore, you must inform your physician if you develop any indicative signs of low calcium levels, such as muscle spasms, twitches, cramps, numbness or tingling sensations in your extremities or around your mouth, and loss of consciousness while receiving this drug. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspect pregnancy, or planning to become pregnant. It is unknown if this medicine passes into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Cinacalcet may cause gastrointestinal upset. To reduce this effect, your doctor may recommend taking the medication with food or antacids. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding timing and administration of the medication. Maintain adequate hydration by drinking sufficient water throughout the day. Proper hydration supports overall health and medication efficacy.

Amgen Ltd, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Aug 2017] [Accessed on 29th August 2023, https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.11315.pdf KD Tripathi, Hormones and Drugs Affecting Calcium Balance, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th Edition, 2019, 360-372. Daniel D. Bickle, Agents that affect bone mineral homeostasis, Lange’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 772-791.