Cinacalcet Viatris (Cinacalcet Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Cinacalcet Viatris Used For?
Cinacalcet Viatris contains the active ingredient cinacalcet hydrochloride and is used to treat conditions related to overactive parathyroid glands and high calcium levels in the blood.
Primary Uses
This medication treats three main conditions: secondary hyperparathyroidism in people with kidney disease who require dialysis treatment, primary hyperparathyroidism when surgical removal of the parathyroid gland is not an option, and high blood calcium levels in people with cancer of the parathyroid gland.
How It Works
Your parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH) that controls calcium and phosphorus levels in your blood. When these glands are overactive, they release too much PTH, causing problems with your bones, heart, and blood vessels. Cinacalcet Viatris works by telling your parathyroid glands to stop releasing too much PTH, which also helps lower your calcium and phosphorus levels.
How to Take Cinacalcet Viatris
Take Cinacalcet Viatris exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The tablets must be swallowed whole and should not be divided or crushed.
Dosage Instructions
For secondary hyperparathyroidism: The usual starting dose is 30 mg (one tablet) once per day. For primary hyperparathyroidism or parathyroid gland cancer: The usual starting dose is 30 mg (one tablet) twice per day. Your doctor will regularly check your blood levels and adjust your dose as needed. Always take the tablets with food or shortly after eating.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. If you have more time before your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Always take tablets whole – do not divide or crush them.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea and vomiting
- dizziness or light headedness
- worsening of heart condition
- rash (pinkish, itchy swellings on skin, hives or nettle rash)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- low calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) with symptoms like numbness or tingling around the mouth, muscle aches or cramps, and seizures
- seizures (fits or convulsions)
- bleeding from stomach or intestines with severe stomach pain, vomiting blood or coffee-ground material, black or tar-like stools
- allergic reactions with skin rash over large body areas
- swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- faintness, rapid pulse or sweating
Important Warnings
Before taking Cinacalcet Viatris, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure this medication is safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Cinacalcet Viatris
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cinacalcet or any of the ingredients listed. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts, and skin rash, itching or hives. This medication should not be given to children.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had seizures, heart failure or heart conditions, intolerance to sugars (lactose intolerance), or ulcers, serious vomiting, or inflammation of the stomach and swallowing tube. Also inform your doctor about any allergies to medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits with you. Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
Drug Interactions
Some medications can affect how Cinacalcet Viatris works, while others may be affected by this medication. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- ketoconazole
- erythromycin
- itraconazole
- rifampicin
- phenytoin
- amitriptyline
- flecainide
- vinblastine
- thioridazine
- tricyclic antidepressants
Alcohol & Driving
Cinacalcet Viatris may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely, and you should discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor needs to know about your alcohol consumption to ensure safe use of this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Cinacalcet Viatris affects you. This medication may cause dizziness in some people. If you experience dizziness, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep your tablets in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Store them away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – not in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep the medication where young children cannot reach it, preferably in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above the ground. If you no longer need the medicine or it’s expired, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Cinacalcet Viatris, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor will take regular blood samples to measure how you are responding to this medicine and will adjust your dose as necessary to control your hormone and calcium levels. The timing can vary between individuals.
Yes, Cinacalcet Viatris should be taken with food or shortly after eating. This is the recommended way to take this medication.
You should follow the instructions provided and use Cinacalcet Viatris until your doctor tells you to stop. Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before deciding to stop taking this medicine.
You should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor needs to know about your alcohol consumption to ensure safe use of this medication.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine normally. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, the tablets must be taken whole and are not to be divided. Always swallow them completely without crushing, splitting, or chewing.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine, as it may affect other medicines used during surgery.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.