Natpara
Generic name:parathyroid hormone [ PAR-a-THY-roid-HOR-mone ]
Drug class:Parathyroid hormone and analogs
What is Natpara?
Natpara is a manmade form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body.
Natpara is used together with calcium and vitamin D to treat hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood) in people who also have low levels of parathyroid hormone.
Natpara is usually given after calcium and vitamin D alone have been tried without success.
Natpara is available only under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of this medicine.
Warnings
In animal studies, parathyroid hormone caused bone cancer. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans.
While using Natpara, you may have high levels of calcium in your blood. Call your doctor if you have muscle weakness, lack of energy, nausea, vomiting, or constipation.
After you stop using Natpara, you may have low calcium levels. Tell your doctor if you have numbness or tingling around your mouth or in your fingers and toes, muscle twitching in your face, cramps in your hands and feet, mood changes, or problems with thinking or memory.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Natpara if you are allergic to parathyroid hormone.
In animal studies, parathyroid hormone caused bone cancer. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk.
To make sure Natpara is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
high levels of calcium in your blood;
high levels of alkaline phosphatase in your blood;
bone cancer;
Paget's disease or other bone disorders; or
radiation treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether parathyroid hormone will harm an unborn baby.
Having hypocalcemia during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, hypocalcemia in the baby, or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating hypocalcemia with Natpara may outweigh any risks to the baby.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. If you do breastfeed, tell your doctor if you notice symptoms in the nursing baby such as fussiness, weakness, stomach pain, poor feeding, vomiting, weight loss, constipation, more wet diapers than usual, muscle spasms, or tremors.
Natpara is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years ...
