ALFACALCIDOL belongs to the class of 'Vitamins', primarily used to treat low blood calcium and phosphate levels. ALFACALCIDOL effectively treats Vitamin D deficiency, renal osteodystrophy (changes in bone caused by kidney failure), hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid glands make high levels of calcium in the body), hypoparathyroidism (parathyroid glands make low levels of calcium in the body), hypocalcaemia (low levels of calcium), and rickets or osteomalacia (softening or deforming of bones due to lack of calcium). Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body has low Vitamin D levels and is caused due to inadequate nutrition, intestinal malabsorption, or lack of exposure to sunlight.
ALFACALCIDOL contains 'Alfacalcidol,' which is an analogue of Vitamin D. It is a nutritional supplement activated by liver enzymes after intake. Alfacalcidol is further converted into the active form of vitamin D3 (calcitriol) and works by strengthening the bones by increasing the calcium and phosphate levels in the blood. Calcium and phosphate are essential substances to form healthy bones and teeth.
Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. In some cases, it may cause side effects like weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side effects of ALFACALCIDOL do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.
Please tell your doctor if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). Brief your medical history if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), and kidney stones. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking ALFACALCIDOL. ALFACALCIDOL is safe to use in children when advised by the doctor.
Osteomalacia (Rickets), Vitamin D deficiency, Hypoparathyroidism, Renal Osteodystrophy, Hyperparathyroidism, and Hypocalcaemia.
ALFACALCIDOL is used to treat low blood calcium and phosphate levels. It contains Alfacalcidol, a vitamin D analogue. It is used to treat vitamin D deficiency, renal osteodystrophy, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcaemia, and rickets or osteomalacia. ALFACALCIDOL is activated by liver enzymes after intake, which is further converted into the active form of vitamin D3 (calcitriol). It works by strengthening the bones by increasing the calcium and phosphate levels in the blood.
Let your doctor know if you are allergic to ALFACALCIDOL or its inactive components. ALFACALCIDOL is not recommended if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). Brief your medical history if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), and kidney stones. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. ALFACALCIDOL is excreted into the breast milk; hence consult your doctor before taking ALFACALCIDOL if you are a breastfeeding mother. Drinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; therefore, it is advised to limit alcohol intake while using ALFACALCIDOL. ALFACALCIDOL is safe to use in children only when advised by the doctor.
Drug-Drug Interaction: ALFACALCIDOL may interact with other vitamin D supplements (Calcipotriene), antacids (that contain Aluminium), heart-related drugs (digoxin), blood pressure medicines (Diltiazem, verapamil), and water pills (chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, metolazone, and chlorthalidone).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
Drug-Disease Interaction: ALFACALCIDOL is contraindicated in hypercalcaemia, hypervitaminosis D, malabsorption syndrome, Vitamin D toxicity, heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, sarcoidosis, and diabetes.
Drinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; hence it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using ALFACALCIDOL.
During pregnancy, use higher doses of ALFACALCIDOL than the daily dietary allowance only when advised by the doctor. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before recommending ALFACALCIDOL.
Consult your doctor before taking ALFACALCIDOL if you are breastfeeding. ALFACALCIDOL can pass into the breast milk. If ALFACALCIDOL is used during breastfeeding, please monitor the serum calcium levels of the mother and the infant.
If you experience any dizziness while using ALFACALCIDOL, do not drive or operate machinery. Please consult your doctor if you experience any dizziness.
Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking ALFACALCIDOL. Hepatic impairment/liver disease can alter the metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain Vitamin D forms.
It is advised to seek doctor's advice before starting ALFACALCIDOL if you have kidney diseases like kidney stones or undergoing dialysis.
The doctor will decide the dosage of ALFACALCIDOL based on the child's age and weight.
Clinical monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations and cardiac function is recommended.
Vitamin D deficiency: When a person cannot get enough Vitamin D through food and exposure to sunlight, it leads to vitamin D deficiency. It often leads to thin, brittle or misshapen bones.
Renal Osteodystrophy: It is a bone disease that occurs when the kidneys fail to maintain the blood's calcium and phosphorus levels. It usually occurs in people with kidney diseases and patients undergoing dialysis treatment.
Hypocalcaemia: It is a condition that is caused due to low levels of calcium in the blood. Hypocalcaemia can be caused by the lack of vitamin D.
Osteomalacia/Rickets: A disease caused by softening and weakening of bones in children due to inadequate vitamin D.
Hypoparathyroidism: It is a disease characterized by low levels of parathyroid hormone. This can cause low calcium levels and trigger tetany (muscle cramps, spasms or tremors).
Hyperparathyroidism: It is a condition in which one or more of your parathyroid glands become overactive and release high parathyroid hormone levels. This condition leads to hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood).
ALFACALCIDOL