Calcitriol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is calcitriol for?

Calcitriol is a synthetic, aka artificial form of vitamin D3. This supplement drug is used to help meet deficient vitamin D intake.

In the form of vitamin D, calcitriol works by increasing the body's uptake of calcium and phosphate for normal bone development and maintenance. Usually, this supplement is relied on to treat low calcium levels due to long-term kidney dialysis.

However, calcitriol can also be used to treat conditions such as calcium deficiency in people with hypoparathyroidism or an underactive parathyroid gland. Usually, this condition is caused due to surgery, illness, or other health problems.

Although vitamins, these drugs are included in prescription drugs, so you must use a prescription from your doctor if you want to buy it at a pharmacy.

How do you use calcitriol?

We recommend that you take calcitriol according to your doctor's instructions or the usage recommendations listed on the packaging label.

Usually, the rules for use of this calcitriol drug are:

• Calcitriol can be taken orally, once a day or once every morning before or after meals.
• Do not consume oils that contain minerals (mineral oil) or antacids that contain magnesium along with this medicine because they reduce the absorption of calcitriol.
• Do not take more or less calcitriol than your doctor or pharmacist recommends because the dosage may not suit your condition.
• Your doctor will probably start you on calcitriol at the lowest dose and increase it gradually, no more than once every 2-8 weeks.
• Do not stop taking calcitriol without consulting your doctor first, even if you feel better.

How to store Calcitriol?

Calcitriol is best stored at room temperature and away from direct light exposure and places with humid air. Do not store this medication in the bathroom and do not freeze it in the freezer.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Pay attention to the storage instructions that are on the product package or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush calcitriol down the toilet or down the drain, unless instructed otherwise. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Calcitriol for adults?

The usual adult dosage for hypocalcemia

• Oral: an initial dose of 0.25 microgram (mcg) orally once a day followed by a further dose of 0.25 mcg / dose in 4-8 week intervals.
• Parenteral: initial dose 0.5 mcg by IV 3 times a week followed by a further dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mcg / dose at 2-4 week intervals.

Adult usual dosage for renal osteodystrophy

• Oral: an initial dose of 0.25 mcg orally once a day followed by a further dose of 0.25 mcg / dose in 4 to 8 week intervals.
• Parenteral: initial dose 0.5 mcg by IV 3 times a week followed by a further dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mcg / dose at 2-4 week intervals.

The usual adult dosage for hypoparathyroidism

• Initial dose: 0.25 mcg orally once a day in the morning followed by a further dose of 0.25 mcg / dose at 2 to 4 week intervals. Most patients respond to 0.25 to 2 mcg once daily.

The usual adult dosage for rickets

1 mcg orally once a day.

The usual adult dosage for secondary hyperparathyroidism

• Predialysis patients: 0.25 mcg orally once a day in the morning.
• Dialysis patients: 0.25 mcg orally once a day in the morning. Increase dose as needed to 0.25 mcg / dose at 2-4 week intervals.

What is the dosage of calcitriol for children?

Typical children's dosage for hypoparathyroidism

• Children less than 1 year: 0.04 to 0.08 mcg / kg orally once a day.
• Children 1-5 years: 0.25 to 0.75 mcg orally once a day. This dose can be increased to 0.25 mcg / dose at 2-4 week intervals.
• Children 6 years or older: 0.5 to 2 mcg. This dose can be increased to 0.25 mcg / dose at 2-4 week intervals.

Typical children's dosage for rickets

• Vitamin D dependent rickets: 1 mcg orally once a day.
• Rickets-resistant vitamin D (familial hypophosphatemia): Initially 0.015 to 0.02 mcg / kg orally once a day followed by a further dose of 0.03 to 0.06 mcg / kg orally once a day. The maximum dose that can be prescribed is 2 mcg once a day.

Typical children's dosage for hypocalcemia

• For hypocalcemia secondary to hypoparathyroidism: 1 mcg orally once a day for the first 5 days in newborns, or 0.02 to 0.06 mcg / kg / day for newborns.
• For hypocalcemic tetany: Newborn dose is 0.05 mcg / kg IV once daily for 5 to 12 days. Can also be given 0.25 mcg orally once a day followed by 0.01 to 0.10 mcg / kg / day divided into 2 doses a day (maximum daily dose: 2 mcg).

For the treatment of hypocalcemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD): indication for therapy when the serum 25 (OH) D level is more than 30 mg / mL (75 nmol / L) and the serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) above the target range for CKD; The true serum level of total calcium is less than 9.5 to 10 mg / dL and the serum level of phosphorus is less than upper limits of normal (ULN) or the maximum normal limit determined by age.

In what dosage is calcitriol available?

Calcitriol is available in dosages and forms: 0.25 mcg, 0.5 mcg, 1 mcg / mL, 2 mcg / mL.

Side effects

What are the side effects of calcitriol?

Calcitriol is reported to have no common side effects when used in low doses. However, some of the common things that can have serious side effects are:

• The body feels weak
• Headache
• The body feels sluggish
• Stomach pain
• Gag
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Muscle ache
• Bone pain
• Numbness in the mouth
• Increase thirst
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Increased frequency of urination (especially at night)
• Difficulty or pain when urinating
• Vision changes
• Lack of enthusiasm for the things around you
• Hallucinations (seeing and hearing something that is not there)
• Fever or chills
• The stool is large and pale in color
• Yellow skin and eyes
• Runny nose
• Reduction in sexual desire
• Irregular heartbeat
• Rash
• Itchy rash
• Stunted growth (in children)
• Weight loss drastically
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

If your doctor prescribes this medicine for you to use, be aware that your doctor has weighed the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. There may be some side effects that you experience but not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should I know before taking calcitriol?

Before taking calcitriol, there are a number of things you should do and know, such as:

• Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to calcitriol, or other forms of vitamin D such as calcifediol (Calderol), dihydrotachysterol (Hytakerol, DHT), doxercalciferol (Hectorol), ergocalciferol (Drisdol, Calciferol), paricalcitol (Zemplar), use of doses that contain calcitriol.
• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to drugs, food, paint, preservatives, or animals.
• Tell your doctor if you are currently using other medicines, such as
  • antacids
  • calcium supplements
  • cholestyramine (Questran)
  • colestipol (Colestid)
  • digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • diuretics ('water pills')
  • ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  • lanthanum (Fosrenol)
  • laxatives
  • eating steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone)
  • other forms of vitamin D; phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); phenytoin (Dilantin); and sevelamer (Renagel), ergocalciferol (Drisdol, Calciferol).
• Do not use calcitriol in children under six years of age without a doctor's prescription.
• If you are about to have an operation, tell your doctor if you are new to this medicine.
• Do not use other vitamin or mineral supplements if you are taking calcitriol, unless your doctor instructs you to do so.
• To determine whether this drug can solve your health problems and will not worsen your health condition, do a blood test first.
• Drink plenty of mineral water, unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
• Use of this drug is usually accompanied by a change in diet. You should understand which types of food are good for consumption with this medicine, and which foods should not be eaten with this medicine.

Is it safe to use calcitriol during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, you should not use this medication while pregnant unless the benefits outweigh the possible risks of drug side effects.

Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. These drugs are included in pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Interaction

What medicines may interact with Calcitriol?

Calcitriol can interact with medications you are taking, which can change how the drug works or increase your risk of serious side effects.

To prevent this, you should keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Medicines that can interact with calcitriol include:

• cardiac glycosides (digoxin, digitalis)
• cholestyramine (Questran)
• colestipol (Colestid)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diuretics ('water pills')
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• lanthanum (Fosrenol)
• laxative
• eating steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone);
• other forms of vitamin D
• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• sevelamer (Renagel).

Always check the labels of all prescription and nonprescription drugs or herbal products (such as antacids, laxatives, vitamins) as they can contain calcium, magnesium, phosphate and vitamin D.

Can food or alcohol interact with Calcitriol?

Calcitriol may interact with food or alcohol by changing the way drugs work or increasing the risk of serious side effects. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist about potential food or alcohol interactions before taking this drug. Especially for kidney disease.

There are no specific foods that can interact directly with calcitriol, however, it is better if you always keep your diet and consult with your doctor about the types of foods that may interact with this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Calcitriol?

Calcitriol may interact with your health condition. These interactions can worsen your health condition or change the way the drugs work.

It is very important to always let the doctor and pharmacist know everything about the health condition you are currently experiencing. There are several health conditions that can interact directly with calcitriol, including the following:

• arrhythmia
• electrolyte imbalance in the body
• hypercalcemia
• kidney disorders
• dialysis

Overdose

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

There is no specific evidence that states that excessive use of this drug can cause an overdose. However, there is nothing wrong if you take this drug according to the dosage determined by your doctor.

If swallowed or an overdose is detected, contact a poison control center or local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do when I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of calcitriol, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if you find that the time you want to take the missed dose is nearing the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose because you do not know what the effect will be from increasing the dose beyond what your doctor has prescribed. Also, increasing the dosage will not speed up your healing process.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.