Calcitriol
About
Calcitriol belongs to a group of medicines called ‘vitamin D metabolites’ primarily used to treat low blood calcium levels. Calcitriol effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), and latent tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels). Calcitriol can also be given to pregnant, nursing, and postmenopausal women to ensure that they are getting enough calcium. Additionally, Calcitriol is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people with chronic kidney disease, surgery, or other conditions.
Calcitriol contains Calcitriol (Vitamin D3); it is used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency. It is an essential nutrient to maintain bone formation and maintenance. Calcitriol is a synthetic version of Vitamin D3 and treats calcium deficiency with hypoparathyroidism (the parathyroid gland's decreased activity) and metabolic bone diseases in people with chronic kidney failure. It raises Vitamin D levels and thereby increases calcium levels in the blood. This helps in improving the absorption rate of calcium from the intestine.
Take Calcitriol as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Calcitriol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, Calcitriol can cause side effects like constipation or stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, mood changes, weakness, tiredness, fast or pounding heartbeat, bone/muscle pain, and headache. Most of these side effects of Calcitriol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Calcitriol or its inactive components, please inform your doctor. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Calcitriol. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Calcitriol may pass into the breast milk, hence breastfeeding mothers need to seek medical advice before starting Calcitriol. Do not take Calcitriol if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). Inform your doctor if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease), Whipple's disease (bacterial infection affecting joints and digestive system), achlorhydria (little or no stomach acid), low levels of bile, and phosphate imbalance.
Uses of Calcitriol
Medicinal Benefits
Calcitriol effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), and latent tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels). Calcitriol can also be given to pregnant, nursing, and postmenopausal women to ensure that they are getting enough calcium. Additionally, Calcitriol is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people with chronic kidney disease, surgery, or other conditions.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Calcitriol
- Hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels in the blood)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Headache and feeling sluggish
- Drowsy or weak
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Urinary tract infection
- Rash
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Calcitriol, inform your doctor if you are undergoing hemodialysis due to kidney problems and have a stent in the heart. Calcitriol may alter calcium levels, so it is recommended to regularly monitor calcium levels in the blood and urine. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice fever, increased thirst and urination, dehydration, bedwetting, constipation, and stomach pain, as they may sign very high levels of calcium in your blood. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Calcitriol. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Calcitriol may pass into the breast milk, hence breastfeeding mothers need to seek medical advice before starting Calcitriol. Do not take Calcitriol if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Calcitriol may interact with other medicines containing vitamin D, Steroid medicines (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone), a medicine used to treat high levels of cholesterol in your blood (cholestyramine), medications containing magnesium, such as antacids (used to treat indigestion), medicines used to treat heart disease (digoxin or digitoxin), and diuretic medicines (bendroflumethiazide, chlortalidone, indapamide)
Drug-Food interactions: Do not take foods enriched with vitamin D and avoid a high intake of dairy products such as milk, ghee, and cheese.
Drug-Disease interactions: Calcitriol is not recommended for use in patients with bleeding disorders, hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood), metastatic calcification (extra deposits of calcium in the body), kidney problems, high blood pressure, cancer, optic nerve damage, and high levels of vitamin D.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDrinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption, hence it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using Calcitriol.
Pregnancy
cautionDuring pregnancy, use higher doses of Calcitriol than the daily dietary allowance only when advised by the doctor. Calcitriol in higher doses may harm the fetus. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before prescribing Calcitriol.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Calcitriol if you are breastfeeding. Calcitriol can pass into the breast milk. If Calcitriol is used during breastfeeding, please monitor the mother and the infant's serum calcium levels.
Driving
safe if prescribedCalcitriol may not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Calcitriol. Hepatic impairment/liver disease can alter the metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain Vitamin D forms.
Kidney
cautionIt is advised to seek doctor advice before starting Calcitriol if you have kidney diseases like kidney stones or undergoing dialysis. Calcitriol in Calcitriol increases inorganic phosphate levels in serum, hence caution should be taken in patients undergoing dialysis to maintain adequate phosphorus levels and avoid ectopic calcification (calcium deposition).
Children
cautionCalcitriol should be used with caution in children and only if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese, or milk-based custard in your diet.
- Eat a serving of broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables daily.
- Snack on calcium-rich nuts like Brazil nuts or almonds.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over your food, vegetables, and salads. Sesame seeds are high in calcium.
- Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
- Replace the meat with tofu or tempeh for extra calcium in your food.
Special Advise
- Calcitriol is not indicated in patients with or with a history of kidney stones, as it may increase the chance of kidney stone formation. Consult your doctor for further advice.
- Your doctor may advise regular monitoring of calcium levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens and brittle bones by decreasing bone density. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break. Breaking a bone is a serious complication of osteoporosis, especially with older patients. Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than are men. Signs and symptoms include back pain caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time, a stooped posture, a bone that breaks much more quickly than expected.
Osteomalacia/Rickets: A bone disease caused by softening and weakening bones in children due to inadequate vitamin D. Adults can experience a similar condition known as osteomalacia. It causes bone pain, poor growth, and soft, weak bones that can lead to bone deformities.
Tetany: A disease condition due to low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) in the body causes cramps and spasms in the hands, feet, and larynx (voice box).
FAQs
Calcitriol contains calcitriol, and it works by making your body absorb more calcium from your diet. This helps to form healthy bones and reduce bone damage.
Calcitriol can cause kidney stones due to excess calcium deposition when used for a prolonged period. Please consult your doctor before taking Calcitriol as a daily supplement if you have any kidney problems or a history of kidney stones.
Calcitriol is used to increase low levels of calcium in the body. Hence it is not advised to use Calcitriol during hypercalcemia since it causes the overdose of calcium leading to kidney stones and other effects.
Preferably, supplements of vitamin D3 should be taken along with the day's main meal or with milk.
Do not use Calcitriol if you ate allergic to Calcitriol or any other ingredients in it. Calcitriol is not recommended in hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), metastatic calcification (extra deposits of calcium in the body), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food).
