Description

Alfacalcidol is indicated in: It is used to increase the amount of vitamin D in your body. This often increases calcium levels as well which can help in treatment of certain illnesses. In general this drug is used to treat diseases where the amount of calcium and phosphate (which is controlled by the level of vitamin D) in your body needs changing. Benefits of being on this drug can include control of the levels of calcium and phosphate in your body. Treat and prevent bone conditions that are caused by kidney failure (osteodystrophy) Treat illnesses and abnormalities affecting the parathyroid glands which make a substance called the parathyroid hormone. Correct low levels of calcium in the blood of newborn babies (hypocalcaemia) Treat the softening and deformity of the bones due to lack of calcium (rickets or osteomalacia)

Should be taken with food.

Thiazides may increase the risk of hypercalcaemia. Some antiepileptics e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone may increase vitamin D requirements. Rifampicin, isoniazid and corticosteroids may reduce the efficacy of vitamin D.

Hypercalcaemia, metastatic calcification, hyperphosphataemia (except when occurring with hypoparathyroidism), hypermagnesaemia.

Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, lassitude, polyuria, sweating, headache, thirst, vertigo, pruritus, rash, urticaria. Hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria and ectopic calcification. In case of renal impairment, hyperphosphataemia. In hypercalcaemic dialysis patients, possibility of calcium influx from the dialysate should be considered.

FDA has not yet classified the drug into a specified pregnancy category.

Pregnancy, lactation, renal impairment, infants, elderly. Monitor serum levels of calcium in patients with renal failure. Caution in hypercalciuria in those with history of renal calculi. Avoid in patients with hypersensitivity to inj. containing propylene glycol.