Parathyroid hormone
Generic name: parathyroid hormone [ PAR-a-THY-roid-HOR-mone ]
Brand name: Natpara
Dosage form: subcutaneous powder for injection (100 mcg/dose; 25 mcg/dose; 50 mcg/dose; 75 mcg/dose)
Drug class:Parathyroid hormone and analogs
What is parathyroid hormone?
Parathyroid hormone 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.
Parathyroid hormone is usually given after calcium and vitamin D alone have been tried without success.
Parathyroid hormone is available only under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of parathyroid hormone.
Parathyroid hormone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
In animal studies, parathyroid hormone caused bone cancer. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans.
While using parathyroid hormone, 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 this medicine, 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 parathyroid hormone if you are allergic to it.
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.
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 parathyroid hormone may outwei...
