CALCITRIOL

COMMON BRAND NAME: Rocaltrol

GENERIC NAME: CALCITRIOL

Description: promotes calcium absorption in the intestines and retention at the kidneys thus increasing serum calcium levels. It also increases renal tubule phosphate resorption consequently decreasing serum phosphatase levels, PTH levels and bone resorption.

Uses

Man-made active form of vitamin D.
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.
Other uses: treat and prevent certain bone diseases (rickets, osteomalacia) when regular vitamin D does not work.

How to use calcitriol

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. If you are using the liquid form, measure your dose with a special measuring spoon or device. Do not use a normal household spoon since you may not get the correct dose.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and adjust the dose slowly to find the best dose for you. Follow your doctor’s directions carefully. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
It is very important to follow the diet recommended by your doctor to get the most benefit from this medication and to prevent serious side effects. Do not take other supplements/vitamins (e.g., calcium, vitamin D) unless ordered by your doctor.
Certain medications (bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine/colestipol, mineral oil, orlistat) can decrease the absorption of vitamin D. Therefore, separate your doses of these medications as far as possible from your doses of calcitriol (at least 2 hours apart, longer if possible). It may be easiest to take calcitriol at bedtime if you are also taking these other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about finding a good dosing schedule that will work with all your medications.

Warnings

Side Effects

Does not usually have side effects.

Serious side effects (inform your doctor immediately)

Loss of appetite, back/bone/joint/muscle pain, constipation, dry mouth, eye pain/redness/sensitivity to light, headache, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, sleepiness, stomach/abdominal pain, increased thirst, change in the amount of urine, weakness.

Severe allergic reactions are rare. Get immediate medical help if you notice the following:

Rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Precautions

Precautions

Inform your doctor
- Allergy to the medication or any allergies
- Medical History of:
  - High calcium levels
    - Should not be used
  - Heart disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease), kidney disease, kidney stones.
- If you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair/bed (immobile) for a long time; immobility increases risk of side effects
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids unless otherwise directed.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Taking multiple drugs may affect how medications work and/or cause unwanted side effects. List down all the medications you are taking and inform your physician and pharmacist. Do not take, discontinue, or alter any dose of medications without prior approval of your physician.

Products that may interact with this medication include:
- cardiac glycosides (e.g., digoxin, digitalis), corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone, prednisone), magnesium-containing medications (e.g., antacids, milk of magnesia), phosphate binders, “water pills” (e.g., thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide), vitamins/nutritional supplements (especially calcium and vitamin D), drugs that can speed up the removal of calcitriol from your body (e.g., ketoconazole, phenobarbital, phenytoin).
Check the labels on all your prescription and nonprescription/herbal products (e.g., antacids, laxatives, vitamins) because they may contain calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and vitamin D.
Do not use medications containing other forms of vitamin D while using calcitriol.
May interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., cholesterol test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away
- Symptoms: weakness, headache, loss of appetite, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness
Foods rich in vitamin D include: fortified dairy products, eggs, sardines, cod liver oil, chicken livers and freshwater fish. Vitamin D is also obtained from periodic exposure to the sun.
It is important to maintain a well-balanced diet while taking this medication. Calcium supplements may be recommended in addition to this medication. The usual recommendation for calcium is 600 to 1200 milligrams per day. Discuss this with your doctor. Do not take supplements unless directed by your doctor.

Missed Dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage:

Room temperature away from light and moisture
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.

Brands

Available Brands:

Renatrol [ Phil Inter Pharma ]

Also marketed as:

Osteomeg [ Mega Lifesciences ]
Rocaltrol [ Roche ]
Silkis [ Galderma ]