Calcitriol
Description
Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D3. It is used in the treatment of calcium deficiency in people having hypocalcemia (a condition with low calcium levels in the blood), hyperparathyroidism (abnormal production of parathyroid hormone), and secondary hyperparathyroidism (overproduction of parathyroid hormone).
Calcitriol is also used to treat renal osteodystrophy (skeletal abnormalities occurring in people with severe kidney problems) and Postmenopausal osteoporosis (a bone condition causing weak and brittle bones that develops after menopause in women). It helps in regulating the absorption of calcium and its utilization in the body.
Calcitriol may cause side effects like headache, abdominal pain, increased calcium levels, skin rash, nausea and vomiting. These side effects may subside over time. Consult your doctor if any other side effects occur or persist for a long period. Avoid using Calcitriol if you are allergic to it.
Calcitriol is a prescription medicine available as a soft gelatin capsule and injection. The oral form (capsule) of Calcitriol can be taken with or without food as directed by your doctor. The parenteral form (injection) will be given by your doctor in a hospital setting. Hence do not self-administer it. The dose and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on other health conditions.
Calcitriol is recommended for use in children only if prescribed by a paediatrician. Inform your doctor about all your medications including any Vitamin D supplements and any health conditions like kidney/liver problems. Avoid drinking alcohol during the treatment with Calcitriol as it may decrease its absorption. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting treatment with Calcitriol.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Calcitriol
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Metallic taste
Uses of Calcitriol
What is it prescribed for?
- Hypocalcemia
- Renal Osteodystrophy
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Calcitriol varies according to its dosage form. Oral form (capsule)- within 2-6 hours. Parenteral form (injection)- The onset of action is unknown.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Calcitriol lasts for an average duration of 3-5 days after the oral and parenteral route.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?Calcitriol has no habit-forming tendencies.
- Usage in pregnancy?Calcitriol is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Consult your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks, before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known whether Calcitriol passes into breastmilk or not. Consult your doctor to discuss benefits and risks, before taking/receiving this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking/receiving Calcitriol if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Hypercalcemia
Calcitriol is not recommended for use if you have hypercalcemia (presence of excess calcium in the blood) or evidence of vitamin D toxicity as it may increase the risk of worsening of your health condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Calcitriol is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Consult your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks, before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Calcitriol passes into breastmilk or not. Consult your doctor to discuss benefits and risks, before taking/receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Other medicines
Calcitriol may interact with many other medicines and cause severe side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines including any other Vitamin D supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Alcohol consumption
Avoid consuming alcohol during treatment with Calcitriol as it may decrease the absorption of this medicine.
Missed Dose
Oral form:
If you forget to take a Calcitriol dose, make sure that you remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for the missed dose.
Injection:
It is always important to take your Calcitriol injection at the scheduled time. If you missed taking the dose, inform your doctor, and get an appointment for further instructions.
Overdose
Oral form:
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of Calcitriol, seek immediate medical treatment.
Injection:
Calcitriol injection is administered in a hospital setting by your doctor, so the likelihood of an overdose is rare. Contact your doctor if an overdose with Calcitriol is suspected.
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
Iloperidone
Idelalisib
Apalutamide
Disease interactions
Arrhythmias
Calcitriol should be used with caution if you have arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat) as it may worsen your health condition.
Electrolyte imbalance
Calcitriol may increase the levels of calcium and phosphate in the body. Hence it should be used with caution if you have hyperphosphatemia (abnormally high phosphate levels in the blood) as it may worsen your condition.
Kidney Disease
Calcitriol may increase the risk of kidney injury if you have kidney problems. Your doctor may suggest some tests to monitor your kidney function while you are on treatment with this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Calcitriol is used in treating calcium deficiencies.
Oral form: Take Calcitriol with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed.
Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine before the completion of the course without consulting your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have a kidney problem or if you are pregnant before taking Calcitriol.
Injection: Calcitriol is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine.
Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving Calcitriol.
Avoid consuming alcohol during treatment with Calcitriol as it decreases the absorption of the medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Calcitriol helps in the absorption of calcium in the body from foods or supplements, thus increasing the level of Vitamin D.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Vitamins
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - CALCITRIOL- calcitriol capsules 0.25 mcg capsuleCALCITRIOL- calcitriol capsules 0.5 mcg capsule. [online] Available at: [Accessed 12 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Rocaltrol 0.25 microgram Capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 12 November 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 12 November 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Calcitriol: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 12 November 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 9 Feb 2023
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.