MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 24, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A
Disclaimer



GENERIC NAME: PARICALCITOL - INJECTABLE (pear-ih-KAL-sit-ole)

BRAND NAME(S): Zemplar

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Paricalcitol is a man-made form of vitamin D used to reduce or prevent high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in people with long-term kidney failure (chronic renal failure - CRF). High parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels can cause low calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood.

HOW TO USE: Learn all preparation and usage instructions in the product package. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Inject this medication into a vein (IV) usually every other day or at any time during dialysis; or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to therapy. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, headache, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Promptly tell your doctor if you notice any of these side effects: decreased interest in sex, fever. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: drowsiness, lightheadedness, vomiting, dry mouth, metallic taste in the mouth, unusual weakness, bone pain, muscle pain, swelling. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: chills, weight loss, loss of appetite, eye problems, stomach pain, sensitivity to light, severe runny nose, itching, dizziness. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: irregular heartbeat, severe mental/mood changes, bloody or tarry stool, fever, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Kidney Failure - Learn about kidney failure, in which the body has fluid retention, risen blood pressure, toxin build up and lack of red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and apetite loss.

Latest Medical News


Back to Medications Index

copyright


Women's Health

Find out what women really need.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain



paricalcitol-injectable, Zemplar

What are the kidneys?

The kidneys play key roles in body function, not only by filtering the blood and getting rid of waste products, but also by balancing levels of electrolytes in the body, controlling blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells.

The kidneys are located in the abdomen toward the back, normally one of each side of the spine. They get their blood supply through the renal arteries directly from the aorta and send blood back to the heart via the renal veins to the vena cava. (The term "renal" is derived from the Latin name for kidney.)

The kidneys have the ability to monitor the amount of body fluid, the concentrations of electrolytes like sodium and potassium, and the acid-base balance of the body. They filter waste products of body metabolism, like urea from protein metabolism and uric acid from DNA breakdown. Two waste products in the blood can be measured: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and ...

Read the Kidney Failure article »



Top 1
paricalcitol-injectable, Zemplar Related Articles







Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.