What is secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT)?
When your kidneys fail, your parathyroid glands
may make too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).1
- Too much PTH can cause high levels of calcium and phosphorus in patients on dialysis.2
- The medical name for this condition is secondary hyperparathyroidism or secondary HPT.1
Patients who have secondary HPT may not feel any symptoms, but some might feel symptoms like:
- Itchy skin3
- Weak muscles3
- Bone pain3
Ask your dialysis care team about treating your high PTH, calcium, and phosphorus levels.
Next Section
Sensipar® is indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis.
Important Safety Information
- Sensipar® treatment should not be started if you have low calcium levels.
Ask your doctor about the normal ranges.
- Before starting Sensipar®, tell your doctor if you are taking medication to
prevent seizures or have had seizures in the past. Report any seizure episodes while on
Sensipar® therapy.
- Very infrequent cases of low blood pressure, worsening heart failure, and/or abnormal heart
rhythm (arrhythmia) have been reported in patients with impaired heart function taking
Sensipar®.
- While on Sensipar®, your doctor should perform repeated blood tests to monitor
calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. Very low and very high levels
of PTH should be avoided to help maintain bone health. Very low levels (iPTH < 100 pg/mL) of PTH
may cause a condition your doctor may refer to as adynamic bone disease.
- Patients with moderate to severe liver impairment should be monitored throughout treatment
with Sensipar®.
- Tell your doctor if you experience any muscle spasms, aches or cramping, tingling in your limbs,
or seizures.
- In clinical trials, the most common side effects reported in patients were nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea.
If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (332-1088).
References:
1. Rodriguez M, Nemeth E, Martin D. The calcium-sensing receptor: a key factor in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2005;288:F253-F264.
2. Moe SM. Disorders involving calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Prim Care Clin Office Pract. 2008; 35:215-237.
3. Lorenzo JA, Canalis E, Raisz LG. Metabolic bone disease: hyperparathyroid bone disease. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:1293-1294.
