Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Cinacalcet is used to control high parathyroid hormone levels by binding to calcium-sensing receptors in the parathyroid gland. This increases the sensitivity to calcium levels outside the cells, and thus reducing the amount of parathyroid hormone produced. 

How should I take/use this medication?

• Take exactly as how your healthcare professional has told you. 
• Do not stop your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• Take the medication with food or after food for better absorption. 
• Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush, break or chew. 

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

• If you forget to take a dose, do it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding 
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies 
• You have any liver conditions 

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

The side effects for Cinacalcet are usually mild and generally well tolerated. They include the following: 

1. Nausea, vomiting 
2. Diarrhea 
3. Headache
4. Fatigue 
5. Muscle pain or weakness

These symptoms may happen but should get better over time. Check with your doctor if any of these symptoms are serious or do not go away.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Very rarely, Cinacalcet may cause dangerously low calcium levels. Symptoms include one of more of the following:

• Muscle cramps 
• Numbness or tingling in hands, feet or face
• Irregular heartbeat 

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from light. Keep this medication away from children. 

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Discard the medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last reviewed on Apr 2023