Uses
Calcitriol is used to treat and prevent low levels of calcium and bone disease in patients whose kidneys or parathyroid glands (glands in the neck that release natural substances to control the amount of calcium in the blood) are not working normally. It is also used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (a condition in which the body produces too much parathyroid hormone [PTH; a natural substance needed to control the amount of calcium in the blood]) and metabolic bone disease in people with kidney disease. Calcitriol is in a class of medications called vitamin D analogs. It works by helping the body to use more of the calcium found in foods or supplements and regulating the body’s production of parathyroid hormone.
Side Effects Of Calcitriol
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- feeling tired, difficulty thinking clearly, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst, increased urination, or weight loss
- weakness
- headache
- upset stomach
- dry mouth
- muscle pain
- bone pain
- metallic taste in the mouth
- difficult or painful urination
- changes in vision
- lack of interest in the things around you
- hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- fever or chills
- stomach pain
- pale, fatty stools
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- runny nose
- decreased sexual desire
- irregular heartbeat
- rash
- hives
- itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking calcitriol:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking with calcitriol, especially calcium or magnesium-containing antacids; calcium supplements; cholestyramine (Cholybar, Prevalite, Questran); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (‘water pills’); ketoconazole; lanthanum (Fosrenol); magnesium-containing laxatives; oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos); other forms of vitamin D; phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); and sevelamer (Renagel, Renvela). Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking ergocalciferol (Deltalin, Drisdol) or have stopped taking it in the past few months. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects while using calcitriol.
- tell your doctor if you have high levels of calcium. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take calcitriol.
- tell your doctor if you have recently had surgery or are unable to move around for any reason and if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking calcitriol, call your doctor. You should not breastfeed while you are taking calcitriol.
Calcitriol Dosage
Calcitriol comes as a capsule and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day or once every other day in the morning with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take calcitriol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of calcitriol and may gradually increase your dose depending on your body’s response to calcitriol.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to calcitriol.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
