Zemplar - Treating high parathyroid hormone levels

Zemplar is used to prevent and treat high parathyroid hormone levels in patients who have chronic kidney failure.

There are some people that should not take Zemplar?

• You should not take Zemplar if you have signs of toxic levels of vitamin D or an abnormally high amount of calcium in your blood.
• It is important for you and your doctor to be aware of the symptoms of too much calcium, (e.g., weakness, headache, excessive sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, muscle spasm or bone pain). If you have these symptoms, your doctor may want to lower the dose of Zemplar or stop the drug until your calcium level returns to normal.

General Precautions to take when on Zemplar:

Your doctor will monitor you closely if you are taking the drug digoxin along with Zemplar.

Zemplar is administered as an injection during dialysis treatment, no more than every other day.

In order to ensure Zemplar’s effectiveness, diet is important. Your doctor may want you to:

• limit your intake of foods and drugs containing phosphorous
• avoid foods and drugs containing aluminum

There are some things that you should tell your doctor when taking this medication:

Certain types of medications can interact with Zemplar, (e.g., digoxin), tell your doctor what medications you are taking, including those that you take without a prescription.

Tell your doctor if you are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding an infant.

What side effects can you expect when taking Zemplar? (This is only a partial list of side effects reported with Zemplar. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of possible side effects and drug interactions..)

• Chills
• Not feeling well
• Fever
• Flu
• Infection
• Increase frequency or pounding of heart
• Dry mouth
• Blood in stool
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• General swelling
• Light-headedness
• Pneumonia

For more detailed information about Zemplar, ask your doctor.