Zemplar Capsules (Paricalcitol) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 21, 2012

Zemplar Capsules

Kidney Failure »

What are the kidneys?

The kidneys play key roles in body function, not only by filtering the blood and getting rid of waste products, but also by balancing levels of electrolyte levels in the body, controlling blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells.

The kidneys are located in the abdomen toward the back, normally one on each side of the spine. They get their blood supply through the renal arteries directly from the aorta and send blood back to the heart via the renal veins to the vena cava. (The term "renal" is derived from the Latin name for kidney.)

The kidneys have the ability to monitor the amount of body fluid, the concentrations of electrolytes like sodium and potassium, and the acid-base balance of the body. They filter waste products of body metabolism, like urea from protein metabolism and uric acid from DNA breakdown. Two waste products in the blood can be measured: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) ...

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Zemplar Capsules

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ZEMPLAR®
(paricalcitol) Capsules

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Paricalcitol, USP, the active ingredient in Zemplar Capsules, is a synthetically manufactured analog of calcitriol, the metabolically active form of vitamin D indicated for the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease. Zemplar is available as soft gelatin capsules for oral administration containing 1 microgram, 2 micrograms or 4 micrograms of paricalcitol. Each capsule also contains medium chain triglycerides, alcohol, and butylated hydroxytoluene. The medium chain triglycerides are fractionated from coconut oil or palm kernel oil. The capsule shell is composed of gelatin, glycerin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red (2 microgram capsules only), iron oxide yellow (2 microgram and 4 microgram capsules), iron oxide black (1 microgram capsules only), and water.

Paricalcitol is a white, crystalline powder with the empirical formula of C₂₇H₄₄O₃, which corresponds to a molecular weight of 416.64. Paricalcitol is chemically designated as 19nor-1α,3β,25-trihydroxy-9,10-secoergosta-5(Z),7(E),22(E)-triene and has the following structural formula:

ZEMPLAR® (paricalcitol) Structural Formula Illustration

What are the possible side effects of paricalcitol (Zemplar)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: 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, increased thirst, drowsiness,...

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What are the precautions when taking paricalcitol (Zemplar Capsules)?

Before taking paricalcitol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other vitamin D products; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: high levels of calcium (hypercalcemia), high levels of vitamin D (hypervitaminosis D).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease), seizures.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 7/20/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.