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Natpara

Generic name: parathyroid hormone [ PAR-a-THY-roid-HOR-mone ]
Drug class: Parathyroid hormone and analogs

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 23, 2023.

What is Natpara?

Natpara is a manmade form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body.

Natpara is used together with calcium and vitamin D to treat hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood) in people who also have low levels of parathyroid hormone.

Natpara is usually given after calcium and vitamin D alone have been tried without success.

Natpara is available only under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of this medicine.

Warnings

In animal studies, parathyroid hormone caused bone cancer. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans.

While using Natpara, you may have high levels of calcium in your blood. Call your doctor if you have muscle weakness, lack of energy, nausea, vomiting, or constipation.

After you stop using Natpara, you may have low calcium levels. Tell your doctor if you have numbness or tingling around your mouth or in your fingers and toes, muscle twitching in your face, cramps in your hands and feet, mood changes, or problems with thinking or memory.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Natpara if you are allergic to parathyroid hormone.

In animal studies, parathyroid hormone caused bone cancer. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk.

To make sure Natpara is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether parathyroid hormone will harm an unborn baby.

Having hypocalcemia during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, hypocalcemia in the baby, or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating hypocalcemia with Natpara may outweigh any risks to the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. If you do breastfeed, tell your doctor if you notice symptoms in the nursing baby such as fussiness, weakness, stomach pain, poor feeding, vomiting, weight loss, constipation, more wet diapers than usual, muscle spasms, or tremors.

Natpara is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old, or by anyone whose bones are still growing.

Natpara pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How should I use Natpara?

Take Natpara exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Natpara is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Use only the cartridges and injection pen provided with the medicine. Do not use a syringe to inject Natpara.

Do not shake the cartridge or you may ruin the medicine. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

You will need frequent medical tests while using this medicine and for a short time after your last dose.

Do not change your dose or stop using Natpara without your doctor's advice. You could have dangerously low calcium levels if you stop using this medicine suddenly.

Store in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Protect from heat and light.

Each Natpara cartridge contains enough medicine for 14 separate injections. Throw the cartridge away after 14 uses, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Do not throw away the injection pen. It can be used for up to 2 years if you change the cartridge every 14 days.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypocalcemia:

Prior to initiating therapy:
-Confirm 25-hydroxyvitamin D stores are sufficient; if not, correct insufficiency per standard of care
-Confirm serum calcium is above 7.5 mg/dL

INITIAL dose: 50 mcg subcutaneously once a day
-For patients using active forms of vitamin D: Decrease active vitamin D dose by 50% if serum calcium is above 7.5 mg/dL
-Maintain calcium supplement doses in those using calcium supplements
-Measure serum calcium concentration within 3 to 7 days
-Adjust active vitamin D dose or calcium supplement dose, or both based on serum calcium value and clinical assessment (see dosage adjustment section)
ADJUST dose in increments of 25 mcg every 4 weeks if serum calcium cannot be maintained above 8 mg/dL without an active form of vitamin D and/or calcium supplementation
MAINTENANCE dose: 25 to 100 mcg subcutaneously once a day

Comments:
-Dose should be individualized based on total serum calcium (albumin-corrected) and 24-hour urinary calcium excretion; maintenance dose is the minimum dose required to achieve serum calcium within the lower half of the normal range without the need for active forms of vitamin D and with calcium supplementation sufficient to meet the patient's daily requirements.
-With each dose change, monitor clinical response and serum calcium; adjust active vitamin D and calcium supplementation as needed (see dosage adjustment section).
-Due to potential risk of osteosarcoma, use should be reserved for those who cannot be well-controlled on calcium supplements and active forms of vitamin D alone.

Use: An adjunct to calcium and vitamin D to control hypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism.

Detailed Natpara dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Ask your doctor if you need to take extra calcium on the day you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Natpara?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food or beverages, especially if you drink milk or eat dairy products (cheese, yogurt, sour cream) or other foods high in calcium.

Natpara side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Natpara: hives, itching; fast heartbeats, feeling light-headed, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

After you stop using this medicine, you may have low calcium levels. Tell your doctor if you have numbness or tingling around your mouth or in your fingers and toes, muscle twitching in your face, cramps in your hands and feet, mood changes, or problems with thinking or memory.

Common Natpara side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Natpara side effects (more detail)

What other drugs will affect Natpara?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with parathyroid hormone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Natpara drug interactions (more detail)

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Natpara only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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