WikiDoc MAKES NO GUARANTEE OF VALIDITY. WikiDoc is not a professional health care provider, nor is it a suitable replacement for a licensed healthcare provider. WikiDoc is intended to be an educational tool, not a tool for any form of healthcare delivery. The educational content on WikiDoc drug pages is based upon the FDA package insert, National Library of Medicine content and practice guidelines / consensus statements. WikiDoc does not promote the administration of any medication or device that is not consistent with its labeling. Please read our full disclaimer here.
Black Box Warning
ConditionName:
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.
ConditionName:
Content
Overview
Paricalcitol (capsule) is a {{{drugClass}}} that is FDA approved for the {{{indicationType}}} of {{{indication}}}. There is a Black Box Warning for this drug as shown here. Common adverse reactions include .
Adult Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
Indications
Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3 and 4
Paricalcitol capsules are indicated for the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stages 3 and 4.
Dosage
Paricalcitol capsules may be administered daily or three times a week. When dosing three times weekly, the dose should be administered not more frequently than every other day. The total weekly doses for both daily and three times a week dosage regimens are similar.
Paricalcitol capsules may be taken without regard to food. No dosing adjustment is required in patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment.
Initial Dose
The initial dose of paricalcitol capsules for CKD Stages 3 and 4 patients is based on baseline intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels.
File:XXXXX.pngThis image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.
Dose Titration
Dosing must be individualized and based on serum or plasma iPTH levels, with monitoring of serum calcium and serum phosphorus. The following is a suggested approach to dose titration.
File:XXXXX.pngThis image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.
If a patient is taking the lowest dose, 1 mcg, on the daily regimen and a dose reduction is needed, the dose can be decreased to 1 mcg three times a week. If a further dose reduction is required, the drug should be withheld as needed and restarted at a lower dosing frequency. If a patient is on a calcium-based phosphate binder, the phosphate-binder dose may be decreased or withheld, or the patient may be switched to a non-calcium-based phosphate binder. If hypercalcemia or an elevated Ca x P is observed, the dose of paricalcitol should be reduced or withheld until these parameters are normalized.
Serum calcium and phosphorus levels should be closely monitored after initiation of paricalcitol capsules, during dose titration periods and during co-administration with strong CYP3A inhibitors.
Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5
Paricalcitol capsules are indicated for the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with CKD Stage 5 in patients on hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD).
Dosage
Paricalcitol capsules are to be administered three times a week, not more frequently than every other day.
Paricalcitol capsules may be taken without regard to food. No dosing adjustment is required in patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment.
Initial Dose
The initial dose of paricalcitol capsules in micrograms is based on a baseline iPTH level (pg/mL)/80. To minimize the risk of hypercalcemia patients should be treated only after their baseline serum calcium has been adjusted to 9.5 mg/dL or lower.
Dose Titration
Subsequent dosing should be individualized and based on iPTH, serum calcium and phosphorus levels. A suggested dose titration of paricalcitol capsules is based on the following formula:
Titration dose (micrograms) = most recent iPTH level (pg/ml)/80
Serum calcium and phosphorus levels should be closely monitored after initiation, during dose titration periods, and with co-administration of strong P450 3A inhibitors. If an elevated serum calcium or elevated Ca x P is observed and the patient is on a calcium-based phosphate binder, the binder dose may be decreased or withheld, or the patient may be switched to a non-calcium-based phosphate binder. If serum calcium or Ca x P are elevated, the dose should be decreased by 2 to 4 micrograms lower than that calculated by the most recent iPTH/80. If further adjustment is required, the dose of paricalcitol capsules should be reduced or withheld until these parameters are normalized.
As iPTH approaches the target range, small, individualized dose adjustments may be necessary in order to achieve a stable iPTH. In situations where monitoring of iPTH, Ca or P occurs less frequently than once per week, a more modest initial and dose titration ratio (e.g., iPTH/100) may be warranted.
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Paricalcitol capsules are available as 1 mcg, 2 mcg, and 4 mcg soft gelatin capsules.
1 mcg: oval, gray capsule imprinted with "PA1"
2 mcg: oval, orange-brown capsule imprinted with "PA2"
4 mcg: oval, yellow capsule imprinted with "PA4"
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)
Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
Developed by:
Class of Recommendation:
Strength of Evidence:
Dosing Information
Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Paricalcitol (capsule) in adult patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
Dosing Information
Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Paricalcitol (capsule) in adult patients.
Pediatric Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
Condition1
Dosing Information
Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding FDA-Labeled Use of Paricalcitol (capsule) in pediatric patients.
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)
Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
Developed by:
Class of Recommendation:
Strength of Evidence:
Dosing Information
Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Paricalcitol (capsule) in pediatric patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
Condition1
Dosing Information
Dosage
Condition2
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Paricalcitol (capsule) in pediatric patients.
Contraindications
Condition1
Warnings
ConditionName:
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.
ConditionName:
Content
Description
Precautions
Description
Adverse Reactions
Clinical Trials Experience
There is limited information regarding Clinical Trial Experience of Paricalcitol (capsule) in the drug label.
Body as a Whole
Cardiovascular
Digestive
Endocrine
Hematologic and Lymphatic
Metabolic and Nutritional
Musculoskeletal
Neurologic
Respiratory
Skin and Hypersensitivy Reactions
Special Senses
Urogenital
Miscellaneous
Postmarketing Experience
There is limited information regarding Postmarketing Experience of Paricalcitol (capsule) in the drug label.