Vitamin D2 Analog

Zemplar

Approved 17 Apr 1998IntravenousSolution

The FDA lists this product in 6 strengths and forms.

Indications

ZEMPLAR is indicated for the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients 5 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. ZEMPLAR is a vitamin D analog indicated for the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients 5 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease on dialysis ( 1 ).

Contraindications

ZEMPLAR is contraindicated in patients with: Hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Vitamin D toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Known hypersensitivity to paricalcitol or any of the inactive ingredients in ZEMPLAR. Hypersensitivity adverse reactions have been reported [e.g., angioedema (including laryngeal edema) and urticaria] [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Hypercalcemia ( 4 ) Vitamin D toxicity ( 4 ) Known hypersensitivity to paricalcitol or any inactive ingredient ( 4 ).

Warnings and precautions

Hypercalcemia: Can occur during treatment with ZEMPLAR and can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and seizures. Severe hypercalcemia may require emergency attention. The risk may be increased when ZEMPLAR is used concomitantly with high dose calcium preparations, thiazide diuretics, or vitamin D compounds. Inform patients about symptoms of hypercalcemia and monitor serum calcium prior to initiation and during treatment and adjust dose accordingly ( 2 , 5.1 ).

Digitalis toxicity: Risk increases with hypercalcemia. In patients using digitalis compounds, monitor both serum calcium and patients for signs and symptoms of digitalis toxicity. Monitor more frequently when initiating or adjusting the dose of ZEMPLAR ( 5.2 ). Adynamic Bone Disease: May develop and increase risk of fractures if intact PTH levels are suppressed to abnormally low levels. Monitor intact PTH levels and adjust dose if needed ( 5.3 ).

5.1Hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia may occur during ZEMPLAR treatment. Acute hypercalcemia may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and seizures and may potentiate the effect of digitalis on the heart [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Chronic hypercalcemia can lead to generalized vascular calcification and other soft-tissue calcification. Severe hypercalcemia may require emergency attention. Hypercalcemia may be exacerbated by concomitant administration of high doses of calcium-containing preparations, thiazide diuretics, or other vitamin D compounds [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )].

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

5.1Hypercalcemia

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

Limited data with ZEMPLAR in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with chronic kidney disease in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ) . In animal reproduction studies, slightly increased embryofetal loss was observed in pregnant rats and rabbits administered paricalcitol intravenously during the period of organogenesis at doses 2 and 0.5 times, respectively, a human dose of 14 mcg (equivalent to 0.24 mcg/kg), based on body surface area (mcg/m 2 ).

Adverse reproductive outcomes were observed at doses that caused maternal toxicity (see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Chronic kidney disease in pregnancy increases the risk for maternal hypertension and preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm delivery, polyhydramnios, still birth, and low birth weight infants.

Data Animal Data Pregnant rats and rabbits were treated with paricalcitol by once-daily intravenous injection during the period of organogenesis (in rats, from gestation day (GD) 6 to 17; in rabbits, from GD 6 to 18). Rats were dosed at 0, 0.3, 1 or 3 mcg/kg/day and rabbits at 0, 0.03, 0.1 or 0.3 mcg/kg/day, representing up to 2 or 0.5 times, respectively, a human dose of 0.24 mcg/kg, based on body surface area (mcg/m 2 ).

Slightly decreased fetal viability was observed in both studies at the highest doses representing 2 and 0.5 times, respectively, a human dose of 0.24 mcg/kg, in the presence of maternal toxicity (decreased body weight and food consumption). Pregnant rats were administered paricalcitol by intravenous injection three times per week at doses of 0, 0.3, 3 or 20 mcg/kg/day throughout gestation, parturition and lactation (GD 6 to lactation day (LD) 20) representing exposures up to 13 times a human dose of 0.24 mcg/kg.

A small increase in stillbirths and pup deaths from parturition to LD 4 were observed at the high dose when compared to the control group (9.2% versus 3.3% in controls) at 13 times a human dose of 0.24 mcg/kg, which occurred at a maternally toxic dose known to cause hypercalcemia in rats. Surviving pups were not adversely affected; body weight gains, developmental landmarks, reflex ontogeny, learning indices, and locomotor activity were all within normal parameters.

F1 reproductive capacity was unaffected.

Adverse reactions

The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Adynamic Bone Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The most common adverse reactions (> 5% and more frequent than placebo) are nausea, vomiting and edema ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie Inc. at 1-800-633-9110 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Four placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter studies were conducted in 113 patients (51% male, 10% Caucasian, 81% African-American and 9% Hispanic, ranging in age from 18 to 90 years).

Sixty-two patients were exposed to ZEMPLAR and the average dose at the end of treatment was 0.12 mcg/kg/dose with a mean number of 55 days of dosing across the studies. Discontinuation of therapy due to any adverse reaction occurred in 6.5% of patients treated with ZEMPLAR and 2.0% of patients treated with placebo. Adverse reactions occurring with greater frequency in the ZEMPLAR group and at a frequency of 2% or greater are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. Adverse Reactions Occurring at a Rate of 2% or Greater in Patients with CKD on Dialysis in Four Placebo-Controlled Studies Adverse Reaction Placebo (n = 51) % ZEMPLAR (n = 62) % Nausea 8 13 Vomiting 6 8 Edema 0 7 Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage 2 5 Chills 2 5 Pyrexia 2 5 Pneumonia 0 5 Sepsis 2 5 Influenza 4 5 Arthralgia 4 5 Palpitations 0 3 Dry Mouth 2 3 Malaise 0 3 Other Adverse Reactions The following adverse reactions occurred in less than 2% of the ZEMPLAR treated patients in the above mentioned studies and in additional double-blind, active-controlled and open-label studies: Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Anemia, lymphadenopathy Cardiac Disorders: Arrhythmia, atrial flutter, irregular heart rate, cardiac arrest, chest discomfort, chest pain, edema peripheral Ear and Labyrinth Disorders : Ear discomfort Endocrine Disorders: Hypoparathyroidism Eye Disorders : Conjunctivitis, glaucoma, ocular hyperemia Gastrointestinal Disorders : Abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, dysphagia, gastritis, intestinal ischemia, rectal hemorrhage General Disorders: Asthenia, condition aggravated, fatigue, feeling abnormal, pain, swelling Infections: Nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, vaginal infection Injection site reactions: Injection site extravasation, injection site pain Laboratory abnormalities: Hypercalcemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, prolonged bleeding time Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Decreased appetite, thirst, decreased weight Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Joint stiffness, muscle twitching, myalgia Neoplasms Benign, Malignant and Unspecified: Breast cancer Nervous System Disorders: Cerebrovascular accident, dizziness, dysgeusia, headache, hypoesthesia, myoclonus, paresthesia, syncope, unresponsive to stimuli, gait disturbance Psychiatric Disorders : Agitation, confusional state, delirium, insomnia, nervousness, restlessness Reproductive System and Breast Disorders : Breast pain, erectile dysfunction Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: Cough, dyspnea, orthopnea, pulmonary edema, wheezing Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Alopecia, blister, hirsutism, night sweats, rash pruritic, pruritus, skin burning sensation Vascular Disorders: Hypertension, hypotension

6.2Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ZEMPLAR. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Allergic reactions, such as rash, urticaria, and angioedema (including laryngeal edema) have been reported.

Zemplar

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

5.1Hypercalcemia

Two medicines in one question?

Zemplar

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

5.1Hypercalcemia

Two medicines in one question?

5.2Digitalis Toxicity

5.3Adynamic Bone Disease

Interactions

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

Adverse reactions

6.1Clinical Trials Experience

6.2Postmarketing Experience

Composition

Strengths and forms

Official product information

At a glance