Parathyroid Hormone, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by injection to treat low blood calcium in people with hypoparathyroidism.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: hormone

Generic and brand names: parathyroid hormone, injection; Natpara

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat low blood levels of calcium in people who have low levels of parathyroid hormones. It is used along with calcium and vitamin D.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Bone cancer or other cancer that has spread to your bones
• Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood)
• Paget's disease of the bone or any other bone disease
• Radiation therapy involving your bones
• High vitamin D levels in the blood

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Do not stop taking or change your dose of this medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Your calcium level could become dangerously low.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medication in children under age 18.

This medicine comes in a pen injector. This medicine is given by subcutaneous injection (just under the skin) into your thigh. You can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. You should receive training on how to prepare and give these shots. If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember on the same day and contact your healthcare provider. Use the next dose the next day as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: increased urination or thirst, trouble breathing, muscle stiffness or pain, irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, seizures, confusion, dizziness, fever.

What should I watch out for?

In drug testing studies, this medicine caused some lab animals to develop osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. It is not known if people treated with this medicine also have a higher chance of getting bone cancer. Talk with your healthcare provider about the possible risks and benefits of this medicine so you can decide if it is right for you.

You will need to follow a diet in which you get the right amount of calcium and vitamin D. Follow your healthcare provider's directions exactly.

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.

This medicine may raise your blood calcium levels too high. Some early symptoms of high blood calcium levels include unusual tiredness or weakness, loss of appetite, confusion, increased thirst, increased urination, constipation, vomiting, metallic taste in your mouth, headache, nausea, dry mouth, and muscle or bone pain. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.

This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Cramps or pain in any part of your body that is severe and continues; continuing nausea or vomiting; constipation; low energy; muscle pain or weakness; continuing tingling of your lips, tongue, fingers and feet; twitching of face muscles; loss of appetite; confusion; increased thirst or urination; metallic taste in your mouth.

Other: Headache; diarrhea; mild nausea or vomiting; mild joint pain; temporary tingling or a burning feeling on your skin.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Medicines to treat bone loss such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia), and zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. You can use the pen for up to 14 days after mixing the medicine cartridge. Throw away the cartridge 14 days after mixing the medicine cartridge.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.