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Alfacalcidol
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Description
Alfacalcidol is a Vitamin D derivative. It is used as a supplement to treat deficiency of Vitamin D and Calcium in the body. This medicine works by increasing the absorption of calcium from the intestine and helps in maintaining proper calcium and vitamin D levels in the body.
Alfacalcidol can cause side effects like increased thirst, nausea, vomiting, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you for a long time or become severe.
Alfacalcidol should be taken with food. Take this medicine at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of medicine in your body. Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine for the recommended duration for better results.
Alfacalcidol is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it or have high levels of calcium and vitamin D in your body. Inform your doctor about all your current medications and pre-existing medical conditions to make sure this medicine is safe for you. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Alfacalcidol
Headache
Constipation or diarrhoea
Nausea and vomiting
Increased thirst
Skin rash and itching
Dizziness
Uses of Alfacalcidol
What is it prescribed for?
Hypocalcaemia
Hypocalcaemia is a condition in which there is a low level of calcium in the blood. Alfacalcidol increases the calcium level in the body, thus helpful in treating this condition.
Hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets and osteomalacia
Alfacalcidol is used to treat rickets (softening and weakening of bones in children) and osteomalacia (a bone condition characterised by softening and weakening bones in adults) associated with low levels of phosphate in the blood.
Renal Osteodystrophy
Renal osteodystrophy is a bone disorder that occurs when your kidneys fail to maintain proper levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Alfacalcidol is used to maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood in renal osteodystrophy.
Osteomalacia and Rickets
Osteomalacia (a condition leading to soft and weak bones in adults) and rickets (a condition that affects bone development in children) are bone problems caused by Vitamin D deficiency. Alfacalcidol is used in the treatment of such conditions.
Osteoporosis
Alfacalcidol is used in the treatment of osteoporosis (a condition where your bones tend to become brittle and weak due to calcium deficiency).
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism is a condition in which your body produces abnormally low levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH, a substance made by the parathyroid gland that helps the body store and use calcium). Alfacalcidol is used to treat calcium deficiency caused by low PTH.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The amount of time taken for Alfacalcidol to show its effect is not clinically established.Duration of effect
The time duration for which Alfacalcidol remains active in your body is not clinically established.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Alfacalcidol.Usage in pregnancy?
Due to the lack of safety studies during pregnancy, the risk to your developing foetus due to the use of Alfacalcidol is not known. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.Usage while breast-feeding?
Alfacalcidol may pass into breastmilk. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Alfacalcidol if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat, eyes), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Hypercalcaemia
Hypercalcaemia is a condition with high blood calcium levels in your body. Alfacalcidol increases calcium levels in the body and is not recommended for use if you have hypercalcemia, as it may further worsen your condition.
Hypervitaminosis D
Hypervitaminosis D, also known as Vitamin D toxicity, is a condition with high vitamin D levels in your body. Alfacalcidol is not recommended for use if you have this condition due to the increased risk of a severe rise in vitamin D levels and further worsening of your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Due to the lack of safety studies during pregnancy, the risk to your developing foetus due to the use of Alfacalcidol is not known. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Alfacalcidol may pass into breastmilk. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Other medicines
Alfacalcidol may interact with other medicines and cause undesired effects. Inform your doctor about your current medicines, including any herbs or supplements, before taking Alfacalcidol.
Cardiovascular diseases
Alfacalcidol should be used with caution if you have pre-existing heart problems due to the increased risk of an irregular heartbeat. Your doctor may suggest tests to periodically monitor your electrocardiogram (ECG, a test to check the heart's rhythm) and electrolyte levels while you are taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Alfacalcidol as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor in case of an overdose of Alfacalcidol.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Hydrochlorothiazide
Cholestyramine
Digoxin
Phenytoin
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Alfacalcidol as instructed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Alfacalcidol may cause hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels). Inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, stomach pain and discomfort, nausea, muscle weakness, confusion, fatigue, etc.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Alfacalcidol works by stimulating the absorption of calcium from the intestine and helps in maintaining proper calcium and vitamin D levels in the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Vitamins
Schedule
OTC
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. Alfacalcidol. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 February 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. One-Alpha 2 microgram/ml injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 February 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. One-Alpha 2 micrograms/ml oral drops - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 February 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. One-Alpha 0.5 microgram soft capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 February 2022].
Rad-ar.or.jp. 2022. Search results detail| Kusurino-Shiori(Drug information Sheet). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 February 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Feb 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.