Details

Calcitriol is vitamin D3. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body. Calcitriol is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people who have chronic kidney failure and are not receiving dialysis. Calcitriol is also used to treat calcium deficiency (hypocalcaemia) and metabolic bone disease in people who are receiving dialysis. Calcitriol is also used to treat calcium deficiency in people with hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid glands) caused by surgery, disease, or other conditions.

Typical Uses

Calcitriol is a man-made active form of vitamin D. Most people get enough vitamin D from exposure to the sun and from fortified food products (e.g., dairy products, vitamins). Vitamin D helps control parathyroid hormone and the levels of certain minerals (e.g., calcium, phosphorus) that are needed for building and keeping strong bones. Calcitriol is used in patients with kidney disease who can't make enough of the active form of Vitamin D. This medication is also used to prevent and treat certain types of calcium/phosphorus/parathyroid problems that can happen with long-term kidney dialysis or hypoparathyroidism. Calcitriol is usually used along with specific diet recommendations and sometimes other medications.

Side Effects

Stop using calcitriol and contact your medical professional if you experience weakness, headache, drowsiness nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation loss of appetite dry mouth, increased thirst metallic taste in your mouth urinating more than usual fast, slow, or uneven heart rate changes in behaviour muscle pain, bone pain, muscle weakness, loss of height slow growth (in a child taking calcitriol) or severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back.

Drug Interactions

• Calcitriol+cholecalciferol- Ask your doctor before using cholecalciferol together with calcitriol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with cholecalciferol and calcitriol, especially early in treatment during dosage adjustment. An estimate of daily dietary calcium intake should be made and the intake adjusted when indicated.

• Calcitriol+calcifediol- Ask your doctor before using calcifediol together with calcitriol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with calcifediol and calcitriol, especially early in treatment during dosage adjustment. An estimate of daily dietary calcium intake should be made and the intake adjusted when indicated.

• Calcitriol+doxercalciferol- Ask your doctor before using calcitriol together with doxercalciferol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with calcitriol and doxercalciferol, especially early in treatment during dosage adjustment. An estimate of daily dietary calcium intake should be made and the intake adjusted when indicated.

• Calcitriol+paricalcitol- Ask your doctor before using calcitriol together with paricalcitol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with calcitriol and paricalcitol, especially early in treatment during dosage adjustment. An estimate of daily dietary calcium intake should be made and the intake adjusted when indicated.

Mechanism of action

Calcitriol belongs to a group of medicines called ‘vitamin D metabolites’. It is a naturally produced hormone that helps to control calcium levels in the body. It promotes calcium absorption in the intestines and retention by the kidneys thus increasing calcium levels in the blood. It also decreases phosphate reabsorption by the kidneys consequently decreasing serum phosphate levels, parathyroid hormone levels and bone reabsorption.

Pregnancy Category : C