Key takeaways
Paricalcitol (Zemplar) and cinacalcet (Sensipar) are both used to manage parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, but they work differently and are used for different conditions. Paricalcitol is a vitamin D analog that lowers PTH levels in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by binding to vitamin D receptors. It is taken either once a day or three times a week and requires regular blood work to monitor calcium, phosphorus, and PTH levels. On the other hand, cinacalcet is a calcimimetic that lowers the amount of PTH the body makes, which also lowers the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. It is typically taken once or twice daily with food to help your body absorb it. Like paricalcitol, cinacalcet also requires regular blood tests to monitor calcium levels to ensure they do not drop too low. While both medications are available in generic forms, each have its own set of risks and side effects. Additionally, paricalcitol may require dietary changes to manage phosphorus levels, while cinacalcet must be taken with food to improve absorption.
