Sensipar

Sensipar is used for:

Treating an overactive parathyroid in dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease. It is also used to treat high blood calcium levels in patients with parathyroid cancer. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Sensipar is a calcimimetic agent. It works by causing the parathyroid to produce less parathyroid hormone (PTH), which, in turn, helps to lower blood calcium levels.

Do NOT use Sensipar if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Sensipar

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Sensipar :

Some medical conditions may interact with Sensipar . 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 liver problems, low blood calcium levels, or seizures
• if you have a history of low blood pressure, heart problems, (eg, heart failure), or bone problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Sensipar .

• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole) or erythromycin because they may increase the risk of Sensipar 's side effects
• Flecainide, thioridazine, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), or vinblastine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Sensipar

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Sensipar 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 Sensipar :

Use Sensipar as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Sensipar by mouth with food or shortly after a meal.
• Swallow Sensipar whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• If you miss a dose of Sensipar , 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.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Sensipar .

Important safety information:

• Sensipar may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Sensipar with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Lab tests, including calcium and phosphorous or parathyroid hormone blood levels, may be performed while you use Sensipar . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Sensipar should be used 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 using Sensipar while you are pregnant. It is not known if Sensipar is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Sensipar .

Possible side effects of Sensipar :

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; loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; cramping; muscle aches, pain, or weakness; muscle spasms; numbness or tingling; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; tremors; unusual weakness.

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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center ( http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include burning, prickling, or itching of the skin; muscle aches, pain, or weakness; muscle spasms; seizures.

Store Sensipar 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 Sensipar out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Sensipar , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Sensipar 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.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Sensipar . 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.

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