Cinacalcet
Generic Sensipar
Cinacalcet (sin a KAL cet) is a generic medication prescribed for hyperparathyroidism (a condition that causes too much parathyroid hormone) in adults. Cinacalcet belongs to a group of drugs called calcimimetics.
Cinacalcet (sin a KAL cet) is a generic medication prescribed for hyperparathyroidism (a condition that causes too much parathyroid hormone) in adults. Cinacalcet belongs to a group of drugs called calcimimetics.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 30mg
- • 30 Tablets
Dosage settings
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on July 26, 2023
Cinacalcet (sin a KAL cet) is a generic medication prescribed for hyperparathyroidism (a condition that causes too much parathyroid hormone) in adults. Cinacalcet belongs to a group of drugs called calcimimetics.
Side effects
Side effects of cinacalcet
Cinacalcet may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of cinacalcet and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about cinacalcet’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for cinacalcet listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with cinacalcet are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about cinacalcet’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for cinacalcet listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Cinacalcet oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- muscle aches or spasms
- nausea or vomiting
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cinacalcet” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of cinacalcet are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about cinacalcet’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for cinacalcet listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, cinacalcet’s serious side effects include:
- abnormal heart rhythms
- bone problems
- increased risk of bleeding in the digestive tract
- low calcium level
- seizures
- changes in blood pressure, which may be higher or lower than usual
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cinacalcet” section.
FAQs
Common questions about cinacalcet
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about cinacalcet.
What brand names are available for cinacalcet?
The brand-name medication for cinacalcet is Sensipar.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name drugs.
If you’d like to know more about this brand-name medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What is cinacalcet’s mechanism of action? How does the drug work?
Cinacalcet works by acting like calcium and attaching to a site on the parathyroid gland. When it attaches to this site, it tells the gland to reduce the amount of parathyroid hormone it makes. (A hormone is a chemical that carries messages in the body, and parathyroid hormone controls the amount of calcium in the blood.) This, in turn, reduces the amount of calcium in the blood.
Cinacalcet will start working within 6 hours of taking a dose. But it can take 2–4 weeks for it to have the maximum effect on lowering calcium.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of cinacalcet
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as cinacalcet for certain conditions. Approved uses for cinacalcet are described below.
Use for certain parathyroid conditions
Doctors may prescribe cinacalcet oral tablet for treating hyperparathyroidism. It’s prescribed for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With hyperparathyroidism, there is too much parathyroid hormone. (A hormone is a chemical that carries messages in the body.) This hormone controls the amount of calcium in the blood.
Too much parathyroid hormone causes calcium to be too high, which is a condition called hypercalcemia. Cinacalcet can treat hypercalcemia due to hyperparathyroidism:
- in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving dialysis
- in people with parathyroid cancer
- that doesn’t have a known cause (primary hyperparathyroidism), and surgery to remove the parathyroid gland isn’t an option
Doctors may not prescribe cinacalcet oral tablet in certain situations, such as for people with CKD who are not receiving dialysis.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for cinacalcet
Below, you’ll find information about cinacalcet’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of cinacalcet
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take cinacalcet, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for cinacalcet” section below.
Warnings for cinacalcet
Some people should not take cinacalcet, and others should take it cautiously.
Cinacalcet could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether cinacalcet is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for cinacalcet, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Cinacalcet can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to cinacalcet or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe cinacalcet. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to cinacalcet, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of cinacalcet
If you take cinacalcet by mouth, you should not take more cinacalcet than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much cinacalcet, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and cinacalcet
Information about cinacalcet and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Cinacalcet and pregnancy
It’s not known whether cinacalcet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Cinacalcet and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether cinacalcet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about cinacalcet or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- What is the most important information I need to know about cinacalcet?
- Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?
- Do you need to adjust the dose of any of my medications before I start cinacalcet?
Resources
Resources
- Cinacalcet tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/aa09a7e0-d2e6-444b-961b-d740f32d9297/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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