Paricalcitol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2025.

Applies to paricalcitol: oral capsule liquid filled.

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous solution

Serious side effects of paricalcitol

Along with its needed effects, paricalcitol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking paricalcitol:

More common side effects

• blurred vision
• cough or hoarseness
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fever or chills
• headache
• hives
• itching
• lower back or side pain
• nervousness
• pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• slow or fast heartbeat
• swelling
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material
• ammonia-like breath odor
• anxiety
• bladder pain
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bloody or cloudy urine
• burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
• chest pain or discomfort
• cold sweats
• coma
• confusion
• convulsions
• cool, pale skin
• decreased urine
• depression
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fainting
• frequent urge to urinate
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• increase in heart rate
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeat
• joint pain
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea or vomiting
• nightmares
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• rapid breathing
• rapid weight gain
• runny nose
• sensation of pins and needles
• shakiness
• shivering
• slurred speech
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stabbing pain
• sunken eyes
• sweating
• thirst
• trouble sleeping
• troubled breathing
• unusual weight gain or loss
• weight loss
• wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• slow or irregular breathing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking paricalcitol:

Symptoms of overdose

• abdominal or stomach cramps
• constipation
• depression
• high urine levels of calcium
• incoherent speech
• increased urination
• metallic taste
• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• muscle weakness
• tremor

Other side effects of paricalcitol

Some side effects of paricalcitol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• back pain
• belching
• bloody nose
• bruising
• change in vision
• cough producing mucus
• difficulty with moving
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• heartburn
• impaired vision
• indigestion
• lack or loss of strength
• large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
• leg cramps
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• sensation of spinning
• sores on the skin
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• stuffy nose

For healthcare professionals

Applies to paricalcitol: intravenous solution, oral capsule.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were nausea, diarrhea, and elevated calcium phosphate product.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (12.9%), diarrhea (11.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, constipation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, abdominal discomfort, dry mouth, gastroenteritis, stomach discomfort, gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rectal hemorrhage, colitis, gastritis, dyspepsia, dysphagia, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disorder
• Frequency not reported: Intestinal ischemia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Elevated calcium phosphate product (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Fluid overload, hypoglycemia, dehydration, hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia, decreased appetite, hyperphosphatemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperkalemia, anorexia, thirst^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hypotension, palpitations
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, atrial flutter
• Frequency not reported: Irregular heart rate^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo, dizziness, headache, syncope, dysgeusia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Coma, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack, myoclonus, hypoesthesia, paresthesia, gait disturbance
• Frequency not reported: Unresponsive to stimuli^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis, pneumonia, influenza, oropharyngeal pain, sinusitis, cough
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pulmonary edema, asthma, dyspnea, epistaxis, pharyngitis
• Frequency not reported: Upper respiratory tract infection, orthopnea, wheezing^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Viral infection, edema, peritonitis, chills, pyrexia, pain, fatigue, peripheral edema, malaise, chest pain, fungal infection, infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Laboratory test abnormal, decreased weight, ear disorder, condition aggravated, asthenia
• Frequency not reported: Phosphorous increased, ear discomfort, chest discomfort, feeling abnormal, swelling^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity
• Postmarketing reports: Allergic reactions including rash, urticaria, and angioedema (including laryngeal edema)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus, skin ulcer, acne
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, bullous dermatitis, alopecia, hirsutism, hyperhidrosis
• Frequency not reported: Blister, night sweats, rash pruritic, skin burning sensation^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoparathyroidism
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperparathyroidism^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, breast tenderness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vaginal infection, breast pain, erectile dysfunction^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Chills, arthralgia, arthritis, back pain, muscle spasms
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Joint stiffness, muscle twitching, myalgia^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Renal failure chronic
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood creatinine increased^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, anxiety, depression
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Confusional state, delirium, depersonalization, agitation, nervousness
• Frequency not reported: Restlessness^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bleeding time prolonged, anemia, leukopenia, lymphadenopathy^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic enzyme abnormal, increased aspartate aminotransferase
• Frequency not reported: Alkaline phosphatase decreased^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis, glaucoma
• Frequency not reported: Ocular hyperemia^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Breast cancer^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site pain
• Frequency not reported: Injection site extravasation^[Ref]

Further information

Paricalcitol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer