Etelcalcetide is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Parsabiv
- Taken
- Intravenous
- Label
- Amgen, Inc, revised March 8, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
- Generic
- No · details
What it is used for
PARSABIV is indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. PARSABIV is a calcium-sensing receptor agonist indicated for: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: PARSABIV has not been studied in adult patients with parathyroid carcinoma, primary hyperparathyroidism, or with CKD who are not on hemodialysis and is not recommended for use in these populations. Limitations of Use: PARSABIV has not been studied in adult patients with parathyroid carcinoma, primary hyperparathyroidism, or with chronic kidney disease who are not on hemodialysis and is not recommended for use in these populations .
Forms and strengths
PARSABIV is a single-dose, clear, and colorless solution available as follows: Injection: 2.5 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose vial Injection: 5 mg/mL solution in a single-dose vial Injection: 10 mg/2 mL solution (5 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial Injection: 2.5 mg/0.5 mL solution in a single-dose vial ( 3 ) Injection: 5 mg/mL solution in a single-dose vial ( 3 ) Injection: 10 mg/2 mL solution in a single-dose vial ( 3 )
Who should not take it (contraindications)
PARSABIV is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to etelcalcetide or any of its excipients. ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity PARSABIV is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to etelcalcetide or any of its excipients. Hypersensitivity reactions, including face edema and anaphylactic reaction, have occurred with PARSABIV [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] .
Warnings and precautions
Hypocalcemia: Sometimes severe. Severe hypocalcemia can cause paresthesias, myalgias, muscle spasms, seizures, QT prolongation, and ventricular arrhythmias. Patients predisposed to QT interval prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias, and seizures may be at increased risk and require close monitoring. Educate patients on the symptoms of hypocalcemia and advise them to contact a healthcare provider if they occur. ( 5.1 ) Worsening Heart Failure: Reductions in corrected serum calcium may be associated with congestive heart failure, however, a causal relationship to PARSABIV could not be completely excluded. Closely monitor patients for worsening signs and symptoms of heart failure. ( 5.2 ) Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding: Patients with risk factors for upper GI bleeding may be at increased risk. Monitor patients and promptly evaluate and treat any suspected GI bleeding. ( 5.3 ) Adynamic Bone: May develop if PTH levels are chronically suppressed. If PTH levels decrease below the recommended target range, the dose of PARSABIV should be reduced or discontinued. ( 5.4 )
5.1 Hypocalcemia PARSABIV lowers serum calcium [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] and can lead to hypocalcemia, sometimes severe. Significant lowering of serum calcium can cause paresthesias, myalgias, muscle spasms, seizures, QT interval prolongation, and ventricular arrhythmia. QT Interval Prolongation and Ventricular Arrhythmia In the combined placebo-controlled studies, more patients treated with PARSABIV experienced a maximum increase from baseline of greater than 60 msec in the QTcF interval (0% placebo versus 1.2% PARSABIV). In these studies, the incidence of a maximum post-baseline predialysis QTcF > 500 msec in the placebo and PARSABIV groups was 1.9% and 4.8%, respectively [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Patients with congenital long QT syndrome, history of QT interval prolongation, family history of long QT syndrome or sudden cardiac death, and other conditions that predispose to QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia may be at increased risk for QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias if they develop hypocalcemia due to PARSABIV. Closely monitor corrected serum calcium and QT interval in patients at risk receiving PARSABIV. Seizures Significant reductions in corrected serum calcium may lower the threshold for seizures. Patients with a history of seizure disorder may be at increased risk for seizures if they develop hypocalcemia due to PARSABIV. Monitor corrected serum calcium in patients with seizure disorders receiving PARSABIV. Risk of Hypocalcemia with Other Serum Calcium Lowering Products Concurrent administration of PARSABIV with another oral calcium-sensing receptor agonist could result in severe, life-threatening hypocalcemia. Patients switching from cinacalcet to PARSABIV should discontinue cinacalcet for at least 7 days prior to initiating PARSABIV [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . Closely monitor corrected serum calcium in patients receiving PARSABIV and concomitant therapies known to lower serum calcium. Monitoring Serum Calcium and Patient Education Measure corrected serum calcium prior to initiation of PARSABIV. Do not initiate in patients if the corrected serum calcium is less than the lower limit of normal. Monitor corrected serum calcium within 1 week after initiation or dose adjustment and every 4 weeks during treatment with PARSABIV [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . Educate patients on the symptoms of hypocalcemia and advise them to contact a healthcare provider if they occur. Management of Hypocalcemia If corrected serum calcium falls below the lower limit of normal or symptoms of hypocalcemia develop, start or increase calcium supplementation (including calcium, calcium-containing phosphate binders, and/or vitamin D sterols or increases in dialysate calcium concentration). PARSABIV dose reduction or discontinuation of PARSABIV may be necessary [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] .
5.2 Worsening Heart Failure In clinical studies with PARSABIV, cases of hypotension, congestive heart failure, and decreased myocardial performance have been reported. In clinical studies, heart failure requiring hospitalization occurred in 2% of PARSABIV-treated patients and 1% of placebo-treated patients. Reductions in corrected serum calcium may be associated with congestive heart failure, however, a causal relationship to PARSABIV could not be completely excluded. Closely monitor patients treated with PARSABIV for worsening signs and symptoms of heart failure.
5.3 Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding In clinical studies, two patients treated with PARSABIV in 1253 patient-years of exposure had upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding noted at the time of death while no patient in the control groups in 384 patient-years of exposure had upper GI bleeding noted at the time of death. The exact cause of GI bleeding in these patients is unknown, and there were too few cases to determine whether these cases were related to PARSABIV. Patients with risk factors for upper GI bleeding (such as known gastritis, esophagitis, ulcers, or severe vomiting) may be at increased risk for GI bleeding while receiving PARSABIV treatment. Monitor patients for worsening of common GI adverse reactions of nausea and vomiting associated with PARSABIV [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] and for signs and symptoms of GI bleeding and ulcerations during PARSABIV therapy. Promptly evaluate and treat any suspected GI bleeding.
5.4 Adynamic Bone Adynamic bone may develop if PTH levels are chronically suppressed. If PTH levels decrease below the recommended target range, the dose of vitamin D sterols and/or PARSABIV should be reduced or therapy discontinued. After discontinuation, resume therapy at a lower dose to maintain PTH levels in the target range [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] .
Side effects (adverse reactions)
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Hypocalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Worsening Heart Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Adynamic Bone [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) were blood calcium decreased, muscle spasms, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, hypocalcemia, and paresthesia. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amgen Inc. at 1-800-77-AMGEN (1-800-772-6436) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The data in Table 2 are derived from two placebo-controlled clinical studies in patients with chronic kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism on hemodialysis. The data reflect exposure of 503 patients to PARSABIV with a mean duration of exposure to PARSABIV of 23.6 weeks. The mean age of patients was approximately 58 years, and 60% of the patients were male. Of the total patients, 67% were Caucasian, 28% were Black or African American, 2.6% were Asian, 1.2% were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 1.6% were categorized as Other. Table 2 shows common adverse reactions associated with the use of PARSABIV in the pool of placebo-controlled studies. These adverse reactions occurred more commonly on PARSABIV than on placebo and were reported in at least 5% of patients treated with PARSABIV. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of PARSABIV-Treated Patients Adverse Reaction Included adverse reactions reported with at least 1% greater incidence in the PARSABIV group compared to the placebo group Placebo (N = 513) PARSABIV (N = 503) Blood calcium decreased Asymptomatic reductions in calcium below 7.5 mg/dL or clinically significant asymptomatic reductions in corrected serum calcium between 7.5 and < 8.3 mg/dL (that required medical management) 10% 64% Muscle spasms 7% 12% Diarrhea 9% 11% Nausea 6% 11% Vomiting 5% 9% Headache 6% 8% Hypocalcemia Symptomatic reductions in corrected serum calcium < 8.3 mg/dL 0.2% 7% Paresthesia Paresthesia includes preferred terms of paresthesia and hypoesthesia 1% 6% Other adverse reactions associated with the use of PARSABIV but reported in < 5% of patients in the PARSABIV group in the two placebo-controlled clinical studies were: Hyperkalemia: 3% and 4% for placebo and PARSABIV, respectively. Hospitalization for Heart Failure: 1% and 2% for placebo and PARSABIV, respectively. Myalgia: 0.2% and 2% for placebo and PARSABIV, respectively. Hypophosphatemia: 0.2% and 1% for placebo and PARSABIV, respectively. Description of Selected Adverse Reactions Hypocalcemia In the combined placebo-controlled studies, a higher proportion of patients on PARSABIV developed at least one corrected serum calcium value below 7.0 mg/dL (7.6% PARSABIV, 3.1% placebo), below 7.5 mg/dL (27% PARSABIV, 5.5% placebo), and below 8.3 mg/dL (79% PARSABIV, 19% placebo). In the combined placebo-controlled studies, 1% of patients in the PARSABIV group and 0% of patients in the placebo group discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction attributed to a low corrected serum calcium. Hypophosphatemia In the combined placebo-controlled studies, 18% of patients treated with PARSABIV and 8.2% of patients treated with placebo had at least one measured phosphorus level below the lower normal limit (i.e., 2.2 mg/dL). QTc Interval Prolongation Secondary to Hypocalcemia In the combined placebo-controlled studies, more patients treated with PARSABIV experienced a maximum increase from baseline of greater than 60 msec in the QTcF interval (0% placebo versus 1.2% PARSABIV). The patient incidence of maximum post-baseline predialysis QTcF > 500 msec in the placebo and PARSABIV groups was 1.9% and 4.8%, respectively. Hypersensitivity In the combined placebo-controlled studies, the subject incidence of adverse reactions potentially related to hypersensitivity was 4.4% in the PARSABIV group and 3.7% in the placebo group. Hypersensitivity reactions in the PARSABIV group were pruritic rash, urticaria, and face edema.
6.2 Immunogenicity As with all peptide therapeutics, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of anti-drug binding antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to etelcalcetide with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading. In clinical studies, 7.1% (71 out of 995) of patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism treated with PARSABIV for up to 6 months tested positive for binding anti-etelcalcetide antibodies. Fifty-seven out of 71 had pre-existing anti-etelcalcetide antibodies. No evidence of altered pharmacokinetic profile, clinical response, or safety profile was associated with pre-existing or developing anti-etelcalcetide antibodies.
6.3 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of PARSABIV. Because postmarketing reporting of adverse reactions is voluntary and from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Anaphylactic reaction Hypocalcemia in patients who were administered etelcalcetide concomitantly with other products known to lower serum calcium (e.g. cinacalcet, denosumab) Seizures secondary to hypocalcemia
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults
Lactation: PARSABIV is not recommended when breastfeeding. ( 8.2 )
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on the use of PARSABIV in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, effects were seen at doses associated with maternal toxicity that included hypocalcemia. In a pre- and post-natal study in rats administered etelcalcetide during organogenesis through delivery and weaning, there was a slight increase in perinatal pup mortality, delay in parturition, and transient effects on pup growth at exposures 1.8 times the human exposure for the clinical dose of 15 mg three times per week. There was no effect on sexual maturation, neurobehavioral, or reproductive function in the rat offspring. In embryo-fetal studies, when rats and rabbits were administered etelcalcetide during organogenesis, reduced fetal growth was observed at exposures 2.7 and 7 times exposures for the clinical dose, respectively. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data There were no effects on embryo-fetal development in Sprague-Dawley rats when etelcalcetide was dosed at 0.75, 1.5, and 3 mg/kg/day by the intravenous route during organogenesis (pre-mating to gestation day 17) at exposures up to 1.8 times human exposures at the clinical dose of 15 mg three times per week based on AUC. No effects on embryo-fetal development were observed in New Zealand White rabbits at doses of etelcalcetide of 0.375, 0.75, and 1.5 mg/kg by the intravenous route (gestation day 7 to 19), representing up to 4.3 times human exposures based on AUC. In separate studies at higher doses of 4.5 mg/kg in rats (gestation days 6 to 17) and 2.25 mg/kg in rabbits (gestation days 7 to 20), representing 2.7- and 7-fold clinical exposures, respectively, there was reduced fetal growth associated with maternal toxicities of hypocalcemia, tremoring, and reductions in body weight and food consumption. In a pre- and post-natal development study in Sprague-Dawley rats administered etelcalcetide at 0.75, 1.5, and 3 mg/kg/day by the intravenous route (gestation day 7 to lactation day 20), there was a slight increase in perinatal pup mortality, delay in parturition, and transient reductions in post-natal growth at 3 mg/kg/day (representing 1.8-fold human exposures at the clinical dose of 15 mg three times per week based on AUC), associated with maternal toxicities of hypocalcemia, tremoring, and reductions in body weight and food consumption. There were no effects on sexual maturation, neurobehavioral, or reproductive function at up to 3 mg/kg/day, representing exposures up to 1.8-fold human exposure based on AUC.
8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data regarding the presence of PARSABIV in human milk or effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Studies in rats showed [ 14 C]-etelcalcetide was present in the milk at concentrations similar to plasma. Because of the potential for PARSABIV to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants including hypocalcemia, advise women that use of PARSABIV is not recommended while breastfeeding. Data Presence in milk was assessed following a single intravenous dose of [ 14 C]-etelcalcetide in lactating rats at maternal exposures similar to the exposure at the human clinical dose of 15 mg three times per week. [ 14 C]-etelcalcetide-derived radioactivity was present in milk at levels similar to plasma.
8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of PARSABIV have not been established in pediatric patients.
8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 503 patients in placebo-controlled studies who received PARSABIV, 177 patients (35.2%) were ≥ 65 years old and 72 patients (14%) were ≥ 75 years old. No clinically significant differences in safety or efficacy were observed between patients ≥ 65 years and younger patients (≥ 18 and < 65 years old). No differences in plasma concentrations of etelcalcetide were observed between patients ≥ 65 years and younger patients (≥ 18 and < 65 years old).
How it works
Etelcalcetide is a calcimimetic agent that allosterically modulates the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Etelcalcetide binds to the CaSR and enhances activation of the receptor by extracellular calcium. Activation of the CaSR on parathyroid chief cells decreases PTH secretion.
Is there a generic Etelcalcetide?
No. The FDA has not approved a generic version yet.
Brand-name versions
- Parsabiv Kai Pharms Inc, approved 2017
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
Etelcalcetide in the news
We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news
Recalls
No recalls matched to this medicine in FDA enforcement reports from the last 3 years (or older ones still open). Search all recalls
Get alerts for Etelcalcetide
We will email you if the FDA reports a recall, if its shortage status changes, or when we publish news about it — at most one email a day. No account needed.
Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID cd270093-c6a8-4596-a4ab-e6aa0a2c8a0c.