Cinacalcet hydrochloride (Sensipar)

Currently, >300,000 patients with end-stage renal disease require dialysis. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a serious complication of end-stage renal disease and can lead to renal osteodystrophy and other organ failure. Vitamin D sterols and phosphate binders are used to treat hyperparathyroidism, but they can cause hypercalcemia, which contributes to vascular and soft-tissue calcification. Cinacalcet (Sensipar) is the first agent in its class that treats secondary hyperparathyroidism by increasing the sensitivity of calcium sensing receptors. It is also indicated for the treatment of hypercalcemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma. All clinical trials concluded that cinacalcet is effective for the reduction of parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, phosphorus, and calcium-phosphate product levels. Cinacalcet is available as a once-daily oral therapy. Adverse effects are generally mild.