Sensipar works be lessening the amount of parathyroid hormone (PTH) released by the parathyroid gland. Less PTH means less calcium and phosphorus are released from the bones.
Sensipar is prescribed for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis, hypercalcemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma, and severe hypercalcemia in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who are unable to undergo parathyroidectomy.
"PTx [parathyroidectomy] can offer elderly patients with PHPT [primary hyperparathyroidism] improved quality of life. PTx is safe and effective in elderly patients, and advanced age alone should not deter surgical referral." - Parathyroid Surgery in the Elderly. Oncologist Journal December 2010 December.
This year a 14 year old died from Senispar (death attributed to severe hypocalcemia). Calcium and magnesium work together to keep the heart pumping (calcium contracts, magnesium relaxes). There has been cases reported of low blood pressure, worsening heart failure, and/or abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) with impaired heart function taking Sensipar.
There are no listed alternatives for Sensipar other than surgery - depending on the cause - kidney transplant, parathyroidectomy. Minimal invasive parathyroid surgery takes about 20 minutes.
Risperdal is prescribed for schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (manic depression), severe aggressive behaviour in elderly people with Alzheimer's disease, and in intellectually disabled children with conduct disorder. Just to add here, dementia is a possible symptom of primary hyperparathyroidism....
Dementia as presenting symptom of primary hyperparathyroidism: favourable outcome after surgery. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008;110(10):1038–1040.
The parathyroids control how calcium is used in the body; calcium controls electrical impulses in the body. If one, or more, of the parathyroids develops a tumor, the only cure is to have it removed.
Not being familiar with Sensipar, I did a quick google search; I came up with this:
http://www.parathyroid.com/Sensipar-high-calcium.htm
"Sensipar is a drug that can be problematic (dangerous?) when given to patients with PRIMARY hyperparathyroidism. Sensipar (Cinacalcet) is NOT approved by the FDA for treating patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. If your doctor prescribed this drug for you, you should print this page of parathyroid.com and take it to him/her. Sensipar is likely to make you feel sick, and new evidence suggests that Sensipar can make your osteoporosis worse if you take it. Most insurance companies will not pay for this drug for treating primary hyperparathyroidism... and they shouldn't! There is good evidence that taking Sensipar is worse for you than if you took nothing and simply ignored the parathyroid tumor in your neck! The pros and cons of taking Sensipar for primary hyperparathyroidism are discussed on this page. In our opinion, there is almost never a case where a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism should be on this drug! DANGER! Again, this drug may make you significantly worse and is not approved for patients like you!"
And this:
http://www.rxlist.com/sensipar-drug/patient-images-side-effects.htm
"Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, fast or slow heart rate, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes;
seizure (convulsions);
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling, rapid weight gain; or
feeling like you might pass out.
Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
loss of appetite;
muscle pain, mild chest pain;
dizziness; or
weakness;
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088."