Rocaltrol

Generic Name: calcitriol
Other Brand Names: calcitriol

What is calcitriol (oral)?

Calcitriol 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.

Calcitriol is used in the treatment of low levels of calcium in the body of patients on chronic renal dialysis and patients with hypoparathyroidism. Calcitriol is also used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism and resultant metabolic bone disease in patients with kidney failure who are not yet receiving dialysis.

Calcitriol 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 calcitriol (oral)?

You cannot take calcitriol if you have high levels of vitamin D or calcium in your body.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

  • take digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or

  • take magnesium-containing antacids.

You may not be able to take calcitriol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you take either of the medications listed above.

Calcitriol is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether calcitriol will harm an unborn baby. Do not take calcitriol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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

How should I take calcitriol (oral)?

Take calcitriol 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 a full glass of water.

Swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew or bite them.

To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of calcitriol with the dose-measuring device provided, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring spoon, cup, or dropper, ask your pharmacist for one.

Your doctor may also prescribe a calcium supplement while taking calcitriol. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Store calcitriol capsules and solution at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of calcitriol (oral)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking calcitriol and seek emergency medical attention:

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

  • an irregular heartbeat; or

  • abdominal pain.

Other side effects may be signs of too much calcium in your body. Contact your doctor if you experience

  • weakness;

  • headache;

  • nausea and vomiting;

  • dry mouth;

  • constipation;

  • a metallic taste in your mouth;

  • muscle or bone pain;

  • increased thirst and/or urination;

  • increased nighttime urination;

  • itching; or

  • decreased appetite.

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 calcitriol (oral)?

Do not take antacids or vitamin or mineral supplements except under the supervision of your doctor.

Contact your doctor if you experience weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, a metallic taste in your mouth, muscle or bone pain, increased thirst and/or urination, increased nighttime urination, itching, or decreased appetite. These may be signs of too much calcium in your body.

What should I avoid while taking calcitriol (oral)?

Do not take antacids or vitamin or mineral supplements except under the supervision of your doctor.

What other drugs will affect calcitriol (oral)?

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

  • digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

  • a magnesium-containing antacid;

  • cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite);

  • orlistat (Xenical);

  • a thiazide diuretic including hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Microzide, Oretic), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin), hydroflumethiazide (Diucardin, Saluron), methyclothiazide (Enduron, Aquatensen), polythiazide (Renese), and trichlormethiazide (Naqua); or

  • mineral oil.

You may not be able to take calcitriol, 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 calcitriol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What happens if I have an overdose of calcitriol (oral)?

Seek emergency medical attention.

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

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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