Paricalcitol (Oral Route)

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of paricalcitol in the elderly.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Ketoconazole

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bone disease or
• Heart rhythm problems (eg, arrhythmia) or
• Hypercalciuria (high calcium in the urine) or
• Hyperphosphatemia (high phosphate in the blood) or
• Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood) or
• Vitamin D overdose—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  • For hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease:
    • Adults—At first, 1 to 2 micrograms (mcg) once a day or 2 to 4 mcg 3 times a week (taken not more than every other day) as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
    • Children 10 to 16 years of age—1 mcg 3 times a week (taken not more than every other day) as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
    • Children younger than 10 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.