Hectorol

Generic Name: doxercalciferol
Other Brand Names: doxercalciferol

What is doxercalciferol?

Doxercalciferol is a synthetic (man-made) form of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body.

Doxercalciferol is used to reduce elevated intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients undergoing chronic renal dialysis.

Doxercalciferol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking doxercalciferol?

Do not take doxercalciferol if you have high levels of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus in your body.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may not be able to take doxercalciferol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have liver disease.

Doxercalciferol is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take doxercalciferol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether doxercalciferol passes into breast milk. However, it is believed that doxercalciferol could affect a nursing baby. Do not take doxercalciferol if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take doxercalciferol?

Take doxercalciferol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the directions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with water.

Doxercalciferol is usually taken three times a week during dialysis. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Store doxercalciferol at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of doxercalciferol?

Notify your doctor if you miss a dose of doxercalciferol.

Where can I get more information about doxercalciferol?
Your pharmacist has information about doxercalciferol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of doxercalciferol?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking doxercalciferol and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  • an irregular heartbeat;

  • increased nighttime urination; or

  • abdominal pain.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:

  • nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;

  • dry mouth;

  • constipation;

  • weakness;

  • headache;

  • dizziness;

  • a metallic taste;

  • muscle or bone pain;

  • increased thirst or urination;

  • shortness of breath; or

  • itching.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about doxercalciferol?

Contact your doctor if you experience weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, a metallic taste in the mouth, increased thirst and/or urination, or decreased appetite. These can be early signs of too much calcium in the body.

Do not take antacids that contain magnesium while taking doxercalciferol, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking doxercalciferol?

Do not take antacids that contain magnesium while taking doxercalciferol, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What other drugs will affect doxercalciferol?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • antacids that contain magnesium;

  • digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

  • a vitamin D supplement;

  • mineral oil; or

  • cholestyramine (Questran).

You may not be able to take doxercalciferol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with doxercalciferol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What happens if I have an overdose of doxercalciferol?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a doxercalciferol overdose are not known but may include irregular heartbeats, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, decreased appetite, constipation, weakness, muscle pain, bone pain, tiredness, headache, and a metallic taste in the mouth.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008