Calcitriol
Vitamin A, D & Combinations · Vitamin D analogue
Indications
Cap: Correction of calcium and phosphate metabolism in patients with renal osteodystrophy. Established postmenopausal osteoporosis. Inj: Hypocalcaemia in patients undergoing dialysis or chronic renal failure. Reduction of parathyroid hormone in renal osteodystrophy.
Dosage
ORAL: Adults: Renal Osteodystrophy: Initially 0.25 mcg daily. 1-2 mcg daily increasing if necessary by increments of 0.25-0.5 mcg to max 2-3 mcg daily. Established postmenopausal osteoporosis: 0.25 mcg twice daily, monitor plasma-calcium concentration and creatinine. Children: Not recommended. INJECTION: IV: Adults: Initially 0.5 mcg three times weekly by IV Inj at the end dialysis. Titrate by 0.25 to 0.5 mcg at two to four wk intervals. Maintenance 0.5-3 mcg three times weekly. Children: Not recommended.
Administration
Administer IV only. Stability: Store at 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F). Discard unused portion.
Adverse Effects
Symptoms of vit D toxicity. Hypercalcaemia. Rarely hypersensitivity. Headache, GI upset, rash, UTI.
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Hypercalcaemia, vit D toxicity, metastatic calcification. Precautions: Maintain adequate calcium intake. Monitor serum calcium, phosphorous levels regularly; discontinue if hypercalcaemia occurs. Maintain adequate fluid intake.
Interactions
Vit D and derivatives, magnesium antacids, anticonvulsants, cardiac glycosides, barbiturates, corticosteroids, thiazides, digoxin, bile acid sequestrants.
Advice to Patient
Take with or without meals. To reduce abdominal discomfort, take with meals. Take prescribed diet and calcium supplementation. Contact prescriber if there is headache, chest pain, palpitations, skin rash, irritability, nausea, change in vision, photophobia, vomiting, weakness, muscle pain, bone pain, diarrhoea or weight loss. Do not take other forms of vitamin D while taking calcitriol. Take a missed dose as soon as possible. Avoid taking magnesium containing antacids.
Pharmacokinetics
Onset of action: Oral: 2 hrs. Max effect: 10 hrs. Duration: Oral, IV: 3-5 days. Absorption: Oral: Rapid. Metabolism: Primarily to calcitroic acid and a lactone metabolite. Half-life elimination: Children 1.8-16 yrs undergoing peritoneal dialysis: 27.4 hrs. Healthy adults: 5-8 hrs. Haemodialysis: 16-22 hrs. Time to peak, serum: Oral: 3-6 hrs. Haemodialysis: 8-12 hrs. Excretion: Faeces (27%). Urine (7%).
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
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