The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7334 p102
29 January 2005

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News summary

Cinacalcet launched

Patients with chronic end stage renal disease at risk of developing bone disease, bone pain or fractures as a result of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) may benefit from a new treatment launched this week.

Cinacalcet (Mimpara), launched by Amgen, is an oral calcimimetic that acts on the calcium-sensing receptor on parathyroid gland cells, reducing the levels of parathyroid hormone that become elevated in SHPT.

Amgen says that in clinical trials patients taking cinacalcet plus standard therapy suffered fewer broken bones than those taking placebo plus standard therapy and were less likely to have to undergo parathyroidectomy.

Cinacalcet is also licensed for the treatment of elevated calcium levels in patients with cancer of the parathyroid gland.


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