I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Chris on August 30, 2008, 11:28:32 AM

Title: Zempar Question
Post by: Chris on August 30, 2008, 11:28:32 AM: I was given a prescription for Zempar due to high parathyroidism, but the pharmacy won't have it till Tuesday for some odd reason. I dropped it off Thursday morning and most times they have it the next day. Anyway what type of side effects have you had with this medication? Not sure what dose I will be on, just know it is three times a week. I just don't want to be interrupted while in class ::)
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: willieandwinnie on August 30, 2008, 12:25:15 PM: Chris, I found this on webmd. I have no personal experience with it. Hope this helps.

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-93426-Zemplar+Oral.aspx?drugid=93426&drugname=Zemplar+Oral
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: 7piglets on August 30, 2008, 12:50:44 PM: I am on it and havent noticied any side effects..
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: silverhead on August 30, 2008, 05:24:12 PM: Sharon has just started on this and while she is normally quite sensitive to meds, she has not had any kind of a reaction to Zemplar, it has reduced her pth readings from 700 to the low 200's so is doing the job. My only complaint is that if it is administered in-center it is covered by Medicare, but as we do home hemo I have to shell out $246 per month for the tiny little pills.......
Tom
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: kitkatz on August 30, 2008, 05:29:36 PM: Zemplar makes me itch. They have been giving it to me at my new center with me unaware. I have been wondering why my head itches like crazy every now and then. I have to tell the nurse to stop it soon. I am itching like mad in place that should not itch like mad.
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: kitkatz on August 30, 2008, 05:31:32 PM: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/paricalcitol_ad.htm

Side effects listing.
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: Chris on August 30, 2008, 08:30:13 PM: Well if Medicare is not going to approve it to be paid, I'm kinda screwed. No wonder the doc gave me an 80% off card from the manufacture. Now I hav to decide which medicine I want to afford this month, what a cluster &*^$ of a position
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: flip on August 30, 2008, 08:45:46 PM: Chris, have you ever tried www.pparx.com for assistance with the meds?
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: kellyt on August 31, 2008, 04:10:00 AM: The only "side effect" I noticed from taking Zemplar was a significant reduction in my checking account! It was my highest medication co-pay at $50! I was so glad my Dr. had me stop it (at least for now). But no, I didn't have any side effects.
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: devon on September 02, 2008, 06:33:30 AM: Kellyt,

I didn't have any side effects other than the "empty-pockets" one you noted. Like you, my co-pay is $50 for this med. I did have some itching but that was probably due to the phosphorus build up in my blood more than the medication.

-Devon
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: Bajanne on September 02, 2008, 10:37:10 AM: We get Zemplar free at my centre. All medications that are put in the line are free - heparin, epogen, zemplar. We only have to pay for Phoslo if we take it.
Title: Re: Zempar Question
Post by: Chris on September 02, 2008, 11:50:28 PM: Forgot to call pharmacy to se if it came in and most important cost. Maybe that's why I didn't call.