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Medical treatment of hypercalcemia
R A Schaiff1, T G Hall, R S Bar
1Department of Pharmacy, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Clinical Pharmacy
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Hypercalcemia, elevated serum calcium, causes serious health issues. Treatment involves addressing the cause or using calcium-lowering therapies, with various agents available for management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hypercalcemia, defined as elevated serum calcium, can lead to significant neurologic, gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular complications.
- Extraskeletal calcification is a potential consequence of sustained hypercalcemia.
- Hyperparathyroidism and malignancy are the primary causes, accounting for over 90% of cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the symptoms, etiology, and general medical management of hypercalcemia.
- To discuss acute and long-term therapeutic strategies for managing hypercalcemia.
- To highlight the availability of various calcium-lowering agents and the need for individualized therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on calcium homeostasis and hypercalcemia.
- Discussion of the clinical manifestations and underlying causes of hypercalcemia.
- Categorization of current and investigational therapeutic agents for hypercalcemia management.
Main Results:
- Hypercalcemia presents with diverse systemic disturbances and can cause tissue calcification.
- Effective management strategies exist for acute and chronic hypercalcemia.
- A range of therapeutic agents, including bisphosphonates, calcitonin, and others, are available.
Conclusions:
- Hypercalcemia is a potentially fatal condition requiring prompt and appropriate management.
- Therapeutic decisions should integrate understanding of hypercalcemia's pathophysiology and drug mechanisms.
- Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the role of novel calcium-lowering agents.