Zemplar Side Effects

Generic name: paricalcitol

Note: This document contains side effect information about paricalcitol. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Zemplar.

Some side effects of Zemplar may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to paricalcitol: oral capsule

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking paricalcitol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• chest pain, feeling short of breath;

• feeling like you might pass out;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• dry mouth, drowsiness, increased urination, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions);

• nausea, loss of appetite, increased thirst, muscle weakness, confusion, and feeling tired or restless;

• early signs of vitamin D overdose (weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting).

Less serious side effects of paricalcitol may include:

• dizziness, spinning sensation;

• back pain, mild muscle or joint pain;

• stomach pain, indigestion;

• diarrhea;

• sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose; or

• mild itching or skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to paricalcitol: intravenous solution, oral capsule

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) injection have included nausea (13%), vomiting (8%), gastrointestinal bleeding (5%), and dry mouth (3%). Taste perversion has been reported rarely.

Gastrointestinal side effects associated with paricalcitol oral have included diarrhea (7%), nausea (6%), vomiting (6%), constipation (4%), abdominal pain (4%), gastroenteritis (3%), dyspepsia (2%), gastritis (2%), and rectal disorder (2%).

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) injection have included edema (7%), palpitations (3%), and angioedema (including laryngeal edema).

Cardiovascular side effects associated with paricalcitol oral have included hypertension (7%), hypotension (5%), syncope (3%), cardiomyopathy (2%), congestive heart failure (2%), myocardial infarct (2%), and postural hypotension (2%).

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) injection have included lightheadedness (5%).

Nervous system side effects associated with paricalcitol oral have included dizziness (5%), vertigo (5%), depression (3%), insomnia (2%), and neuropathy (2%).

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) injection have included pneumonia (5%).

Respiratory side effects associated with paricalcitol oral have included pharyngitis (10%), rhinitis (5%), bronchitis (3%), increased cough (3%), sinusitis (3%), epistaxis (2%), and pneumonia (2%).

Other

Other side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) injection have included fever (5%), chills (5%), flu (5%), sepsis (5%), and feeling unwell (3%). In addition, side effects associated with paricalcitol injection may resemble those seen with excessive vitamin D intake.

Other side effects associated with paricalcitol oral have included accidental injury (9%), pain (7%), edema (7%), viral infection (7%), headache (5%), back pain (4%), infection (4%), fungal infection (3%), asthenia (3%), chest pain (3%), fever (3%), bacterial infection (2%), cyst (2%), flu syndrome (2%), and hypervolemia (2%).

Other side effects associated with paricalcitol oral and injection have included hypercalcemia, elevated Ca x P product, and metastatic calcification. Vitamin D intoxication may be associated with hypercalcemia.

Early signs and symptoms of vitamin D intoxication have included weakness, headache, somnolence, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, muscle pain, bone pain, and metallic taste.

Late signs and symptoms of vitamin D intoxication have included anorexia, weight loss, calcific conjunctivitis, pancreatitis, photophobia, rhinorrhea, pruritus, hyperthermia, decreased libido, elevated BUN, hypercholesterolemia, elevated AST and ALT, ectopic calcification, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, somnolence, and death. Overt psychosis occurs rarely.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) injection have rarely included pruritus, rash, urticaria, and facial and oral edema.

Hypersensitivity side effects associated with paricalcitol oral have included allergic reaction in 6% of patients.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) injection have included rash and urticaria.

Dermatologic side effects associated with paricalcitol oral have included rash (6%), pruritus (3%), skin ulcer (3%), skin hypertrophy (2%), and vesiculobullous rash (2%).

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) oral have included hypoglycemia in 2% of patients.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) oral have included urinary tract infection in 3% of patients.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) oral have included uremia (7%), gout (4%), dehydration (3%), acidosis (2%), hyperkalemia (2%), hyperphosphatemia (2%), and hypokalemia (2%).

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) injection have included arthralgia (5%).

Musculoskeletal side effects associated with paricalcitol oral have included arthritis (5%), leg cramps (3%), and myalgia (2%).

Ocular

Ocular side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) oral have included amblyopia and retinal disorder in 2% of patients.

Renal

Renal side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) oral have included abnormal kidney function in 2% of patients.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects associated with paricalcitol (the active ingredient contained in Zemplar) oral have included ecchymosis in 2% of patients.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.