What is Parsabiv used to treat?

Parsabiv (etelcalcetide) is an intravenous (IV) injection used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are on hemodialysis.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism can cause bone disease and the build-up of calcium in blood vessels, the heart and other organs.

The parathyroid glands sit near the thyroid gland in the neck. These glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is released to control the amount of calcium in the blood and bones. People with CKD can end up with too much PTH in the blood, a condition known as secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Parsabiv binds to and activates calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) in parathyroid tissue, mimicking the action of calcium - acting as a calcimimetic agent. Parsabiv acts as an allosteric activator of CaSRs. CaSRs help regulate circulating levels of PTH.

Calcimimetic agents, such as Parsabiv, reduce the amount of PTH in the circulation by decreasing the amount that is secreted.

Parsabiv is given via IV injection three times a week at the end of hemodialysis.

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