Alfacalcidol

Vitamin A, D & Combinations · Vitamin D analogue

Indications

Renal osteodystrophy. Hypoparathyroidism. Hyperparathyroidism (with bone disease). Nutritional, malabsorptive and vitamin D resistant rickets and osteomalacia. Neonatal hypocalcaemia.

Dosage

Adults: Orally or by IV injection over 30 sec. Initially 1 mcg daily. Elderly: 500 nanogram daily. Adjusted to avoid hypercalcaemia. Maintenance, usually 0.25-1 mcg daily. Children: Orally or by IV injection over 30 sec. Hypophosphataemic rickets; persistent hypocalcaemia due to hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism: 1 mth-12 yr, 25-50 nanogram/kg (max 1 mcg) once daily, adjusted as necessary; 12-18 yr, 1 mcg once daily, adjusted as necessary. Persistent neonatal hypocalcaemia: Neonate, 50-100 nanograms/kg once daily, adjusted as necessary (up to 2 mcg/kg daily may be needed in resistant cases). Prevention of vitamin D deficiency in renal or cholestatic liver disease: Neonate, 20 nanograms/kg once daily, adjusted as necessary; 1 mth-12 yr, Body-weight under 20 kg, 15-30 nanograms/kg (max 500 nanograms) once daily; body-weight over 20 kg, 250-500 nanograms once daily, adjusted…

Administration

By IV inj over 30 seconds.

Adverse Effects

Symptoms of overdose include anorexia, lassitude, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, weight loss, polyuria, sweating, headache, thirst, vertigo, rash, pruritus and raised concentration of calcium and phosphate in plasma and urine.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Hypercalcaemia, metastatic calcification. Precautions: Check plasma calcium and phosphate regularly. Advise patients of signs of hypercalcaemia. Arteriosclerosis, cardiac valve sclerosis, calcification of pulmonary tissue, granulomatous diseases. Renal impairment or stones.

Interactions

Barbiturates, anticonvulsants, danazol, digitalis, thiazides, antacids, mineral oils, cholestyramine, colestipol, sucralfate. Magnesium containing antacids, aluminium containing preparations, bile acid sequestrants.

Advice to Patient

Take with meals.

Pharmacokinetics

Onset: 6 hrs. Duration: Up to 48 hrs. Absorption: Up to 100%. Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: 3 hrs. Time to peak, plasma: Approx. 12 hrs. Excretion: Biliary. Renal.

Brands with this active ingredient

• A-Bone
• Adacidol
• Adela
• Alcal
• Alciron
• Alfa-D
• Alfadal
• Alfadin
• Alfafom
• Alfagen
• Alfaras
• Alfasun
• Alfaton
• Alfawitt
• Alpha-Plus

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.