Paricalcitol Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 30, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 5 mcg/mL; 2 mcg; 4 mcg; 1 mcg; 2 mcg/mL

Usual Adult Dose for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Injectable:
Initial dose: 0.04 to 0.1 mcg/kg (2.8 to 7 mcg), injected as a bolus dose through a hemodialysis vascular access port at any time during dialysis

Maximum frequency: Every other day

Comments:

Do not inject directly into a vein.

Use: Prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic kidney disease Stage 5.
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Oral:
Initial dose:
Stage 3 or 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD):
Initial dosing is based on baseline intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH):

500 pg/mL or less: 1 mcg orally daily OR 2 mcg orally 3 times a week
Over 500 pg/mL: 2 mcg orally daily OR 4 mcg orally 3 times a week

Stage 5 CKD:
Starting dose (micrograms) = baseline iPTH level (pg/mL)/80
Starting dose is given orally 3 times a week; only start if baseline serum calcium has been adjusted to 9.5 mg/dL or lower.

Comments:

If giving 3 times a week, do not give more often than every other day.

Use: Prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stages 3 and 4 (oral product only), or
CKD stage 5 on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (oral or injectable).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients.
The following is dosing used in a very small pediatric trial.
No data are available on children under 5 years old.

Initial dose, children 5 to 18 years:
0.04 mcg/kg three times per week if baseline intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) is less than 500 pg/mL
0.08 mcg/kg three times per week if baseline iPTH is 500 pg/mL or higher

Injected as a bolus dose through a hemodialysis vascular access port at any time during dialysis

Maximum frequency: Every other day

Comments:

Do not inject directly into a vein.

Use: Prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic kidney disease Stage 5.

Renal Dose Adjustments

See Usual Adult Dose section

Liver Dose Adjustments

Mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction: No adjustment recommended
Severe liver disease: Data not available

Dose Adjustments

Injectable:

If parathyroid hormone (PTH) lowering is not satisfactory at the recommended starting dose, adjust the dose by 2 to 4 mcg every 2 to 4 weeks based on PTH levels:

Above target and PTH increased: Increase dose
Above target and PTH decreased less than 30%: Increase dose
Above target and PTH decreased 30 to 60%: No change
Above target and PTH decreased more than 60%: Decrease dose
At target and PTH stable: No change

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Oral:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stage 3 or 4:

Intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) same, increased, or decreased less than 30% from baseline: Increase daily dose by 1 mcg; increase 3 times weekly dose by 2 mcg
iPTH decreased 30 to 60%: No change
iPTH decreased over 60% or iPTH under 60 pg/mL: Decrease daily dose by 1 mcg; decrease 3 times weekly dose by 2 mcg

If patient is on 1 mcg daily and needs a dose reduction, may decrease to 1 mcg 3 times weekly.
If further dose reduction is needed, withhold drug as needed and restart at a lower dosing frequency.
If patient is on a calcium based phosphate binder: reduce dose or hold phosphate binder, or switch to a non-calcium based phosphate binder.
Hypercalcemia: Reduce or hold dose until calcium is normalized.

CKD stage 5:

Dosing is individualized and based on iPTH, serum calcium and phosphorus levels.
A suggested dose titration is based on the following formula:

Titration dose (micrograms) = most recent iPTH level (pg/mL)/80

Monitor serum calcium and phosphorus levels closely after initiation, during dose titration, and with co-administration of strong P450 3A inhibitors.
If serum calcium is elevated and the patient is on a calcium-based phosphate binder, decrease or withhold the binder, or switch to a non-calcium-based phosphate binder.
If serum calcium is elevated, decrease the dose by 2 to 4 micrograms lower than that calculated by the most recent iPTH/80.
If further adjustment is required, the dose of paricalcitol should be reduced or withheld until these parameters are normalized.
As iPTH approaches the target range, small, individualized dose adjustments may be needed to achieve a stable iPTH.
If monitoring iPTH, calcium, or phosphorus less frequently than once per week, a more modest initial and dose titration ratio (e.g., iPTH/100) may be warranted.

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Pediatric:
The dose of injectable paricalcitol was adjusted in 0.04 microgram/kg increments based on the levels of serum iPTH, calcium, and Calcium phosphate product.