About alfacalcidol
Active vitamin D analogue
Used for
- Treats low calcium and bone disease caused by kidney failure.
- Treats hypoparathyroidism and related low-calcium disorders.
Usual adult dose
Dose is individualized using blood calcium tests; commonly started at 0.5–1 microgram daily by injection.
Usual dose in children
Specialist-directed, individualized by age, condition, and blood calcium levels.
Common side effects
- High blood calcium
- High phosphate levels
- Nausea or vomiting
- Itching or rash
Important warnings
- Regular blood calcium, phosphate, and kidney-function monitoring is needed.
- Excess dosing can cause high calcium and kidney damage.
- Use caution with kidney stones or existing high calcium.
- Injection should be administered by a healthcare professional.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; careful monitoring is required because excess calcium may harm the pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
May be used with clinical monitoring; watch for high calcium in the infant.
Interactions
- Digoxin: high calcium may increase abnormal heart rhythms.
- Thiazide diuretics: may increase high-calcium risk.
- Magnesium-containing antacids or laxatives: may cause high magnesium in kidney disease.
- Other vitamin D products or calcium: may increase high-calcium risk.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.