DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: products that contain aluminum/magnesium (e.g., certain antacids, phosphate binders), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin, calcium supplements, other products that contain vitamin D or phosphate (e.g., ergocalciferol, sodium phosphate), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove paricalcitol from your body (e.g., nefazodone, telithromycin, azole antifungals such as itraconazole/ketoconazole/voriconazole, macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin, protease inhibitors such as atazanavir/indinavir/nelfinavir/ritonavir/saquinavir), thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Check the labels on all your prescription and nonprescription/herbal products (e.g., antacids, vitamins) because they may contain calcium, phosphate, or vitamin D. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

OVERDOSE: Overdose of any type of vitamin D is dangerous. If overdose is suspected, contact your poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES: Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood levels of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

STORAGE: Not applicable. This medication is given in a clinic and will not be stored at home.

Information last revised September 2010. Copyright(c) 2010 First Databank, Inc.