The principle goal of the treatment of CKD-associated bone and mineral disorders is phosphorous level reduction. Initial treatment restricts dietary phosphorus intake when phosphate or parathyroid hormone levels begin to rise. According to K/DOQI guidelines http://www.kidney.org/professionals/KDOQI/guidelines_bone/index.htm), serum phosphorus levels should be maintained between 2.7 and 4.6 mg/dL in patients with stages 3 and 4 CKD, and between 3.5 and 5.5 mg/dL in individuals with stage 5 CKD. Different classes of phosphate binders can be used to accomplish this goal. For chronic therapy, calcium-based formulations for management of CKD-associated hyperphosphatemia are the most widely used clas of phosphate binders and have supplanted aluminum-based phosphate binders since aluminum-associated toxicities have been recognized. However, calcium-based phosphate binders can induce hypercalcemia, which increases the tissue calcium deposition, especially in the presence of hyperphosphatemia. If indicated (e.g., a CKD patient with hypercalemia), short term usage of aluminum-based phosphate binders remains appropriate, although alternative calcium-free, phosphate have been developed, such as the nonabsorbable agent sevelamer. This agent has the advantage of lacking calcium or aluminum.
In addition to phosphate binders, several other classes of drugs have been developed to manage CKD-associated mineral disorder. Given the reduced 1-hydroxylation of vitamin D by the failing kidney, vitamin D and its related compounds may be needed to raise the serum calcium concentration sufficiently to suppress parathyroid hormone secretion. Patients can also be given calcimimetics, agents which increase the calcium sensitivity of the calcium-sensing receptor expressed by the parathyroid gland, down-regulating parathyroid hormone secretion and reducing hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland. The KDOQI guidelines provide specific management recommendations for use these agents and the interested reader is referred to the web link provided above for details.