| [ Summary ] |
Cinacalcet hydrochloride, the first calcimimetic agent that became available for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism, is widely used in patients undergoing dialysis. Several clinical studies have established the effectiveness of cinacalcet in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism, and recent studies indicate that cinacalcet is effective even in patients with severe disease in whom parathyroidectomy is indicated. More recent clinical trials suggest that cinacalcet potentially attenuates the progression of vascular calcification and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, mortality, and bone fractures. The clinical effectiveness of cinacalcet is receiving growing attention followihg the introduction of the nextgeneration calcimimetics. This article reviews the literature descrbing the effectiveness of cinacalcet, summarizes its potential benefits, and discusses the limitations to its practical/clinical use. |