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Paricalcitol: Zemplar®
Paricalcitol is a selective vitamin D receptor agonist that activates the vitamin D receptor to regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis and suppress parathyroid hormone secretion.
Paricalcitol is a selective vitamin D receptor agonist that activates the vitamin D receptor to regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis and suppress parathyroid hormone secretion. Used for Secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis, Secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-4 (non-dialysis).
At a glance
| Generic name | Paricalcitol: Zemplar® |
|---|---|
| Also known as | C |
| Sponsor | Hospital Universitario de Canarias |
| Drug class | Vitamin D receptor agonist |
| Target | Vitamin D receptor (VDR) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Nephrology / Endocrinology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Paricalcitol binds to and activates the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a nuclear receptor that regulates gene expression involved in calcium and phosphate metabolism. By activating VDR in the parathyroid glands, it suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH) production, thereby reducing secondary hyperparathyroidism. Unlike calcitriol, paricalcitol has selective VDR activation with reduced effects on intestinal calcium absorption and bone resorption, resulting in a better therapeutic window.
Approved indications
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-4 (non-dialysis)
Common side effects
- Hypercalcemia
- Hyperphosphatemia
- Elevated calcium-phosphate product
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Key clinical trials
- Paricalcitol Trial: Phase II, Open Label Clinical Trial of Paricalcitol in Combination With Gemcitabine/ Nab-Paclitaxel Therapy in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer (PHASE2)
- Management of Mineral and Bone Disease in Hemodialysis-Calcitriol vs. Paricalcitol (PHASE4)
- Pembrolizumab and Paricalcitol With or Without Chemotherapy in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer That Can Be Removed by Surgery (PHASE1)
- A SU2C Catalyst® Trial of a PD1 Inhibitor With or Without a Vitamin D Analog for the Maintenance of Pancreatic Cancer (PHASE2)
- DBPC-Dose-finding-trial of Vitamin D3 for SCIT in Birch Pollen Allergic Patients. (PHASE2)
- Vitamin D and Coronary Calcification Study (PHASE4)
- Optimal Anemia Treatment in End Stage Renal Disease (ERSD) (NA)
- A Phase 4 Study to Determine Dosing of Hectorol® Capsules When Converting From Zemplar® Injection (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Paricalcitol: Zemplar® CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Paricalcitol: Zemplar® updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Hospital Universitario de Canarias portfolio CI