Natpara Dosage

Dosing Guidelines

The dose of NATPARA should be individualized based on total serum calcium (albumin-corrected) and 24-hour urinary calcium excretion. The recommended NATPARA dose is the minimum dose required to prevent both hypocalcemia and hypercalciuria. This dose will generally be the dose that maintains total serum calcium (albumin-corrected) within the lower half of the normal range (i.e., between 8 and 9 mg/dL) without the need for active forms of vitamin D and with calcium supplementation sufficient and individualized to meet the patient's daily requirements.

Doses of active forms of vitamin D and calcium supplements will need to be adjusted when using NATPARA.

Before Initiating NATPARA and During Therapy with NATPARA

• Confirm 25-hydroxyvitamin D stores are sufficient. If insufficient, replace to sufficient levels per standard of care.
• Confirm serum calcium is above 7.5 mg/dL before starting NATPARA.
• The goal of NATPARA treatment is to achieve serum calcium within the lower half of the normal range.

Initiating NATPARA

1.

Initiate NATPARA 50 mcg once daily as a subcutaneous injection in the thigh (alternate thigh every day).

2.

In patients using active forms of vitamin D, decrease the dose of active vitamin D by 50%, if serum calcium is above 7.5 mg/dL.

3.

In patients using calcium supplements, maintain calcium supplement dose.

4.

Measure serum calcium concentration within 3 to 7 days.

5.

Adjust dose of active vitamin D or calcium supplement or both based on serum calcium value and clinical assessment (i.e., signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia). Suggested adjustments to active vitamin D and calcium supplement based on serum calcium levels are provided below (see Table 1).

6.

Repeat steps 4 and 5 until target serum calcium levels are within the lower half of the normal range, active vitamin D has been discontinued and calcium supplementation is sufficient to meet daily requirements.

NATPARA Dose Adjustments

The dose of NATPARA may be increased in increments of 25 mcg every four weeks up to a maximum daily dose of 100 mcg if serum calcium cannot be maintained above 8 mg/dL without an active form of vitamin D and/or oral calcium supplementation.

The dose of NATPARA may be decreased to as low as 25 mcg per day if total serum calcium is repeatedly above 9 mg/dL after the active form of vitamin D has been discontinued and calcium supplement has been decreased to a dose sufficient to meet daily requirements.

After a NATPARA dose change monitor clinical response as well as serum calcium. Adjust active vitamin D and calcium supplements per steps 4-6 above if indicated [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

NATPARA Maintenance Dose

The maintenance dose should be the lowest dose that achieves a total serum calcium (albumin-corrected) within the lower half of the normal total serum calcium range (i.e., approximately 8 and 9 mg/dL), without the need for active forms of vitamin D and with calcium supplementation sufficient to meet daily requirements. Monitor serum calcium and 24-hour urinary calcium per standard of care once a maintenance dose is achieved.

NATPARA Dose Interruption or Discontinuation

Abrupt interruption or discontinuation of NATPARA can result in severe hypocalcemia. Resume treatment with, or increase the dose of, an active form of vitamin D and calcium supplements if indicated in patients interrupting or discontinuing NATPARA, monitor for signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia and serum calcium levels [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

In the case of a missed dose, the next NATPARA dose should be administered as soon as reasonably feasible and additional exogenous calcium should be taken in the event of hypocalcemia.

Reconstitution and Administration Instructions

• Patients and caregivers who will administer NATPARA should receive appropriate training and instruction by a trained healthcare professional prior to first use of NATPARA.
• Follow the Instructions for Use to reconstitute NATPARA using the mixing device for reconstitution and to administer NATPARA using the pen delivery device (i.e., Q-Cliq® pen).
• Inspect NATPARA visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration.
• Discard the needle in a puncture-resistant container following administration.
• Store the Q-Cliq pen containing the remaining doses of NATPARA in a refrigerator.
• All reconstituted NATPARA medication cartridges older than 14 days must be discarded [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16.2)].