Calcitriol
Managing hypocalcemia in patients undergoing dialysis for chronic renal failure.
Recommended initial dose of calcitriol is 0.5mcg, administered three times weekly, every other day.
Hypercalcemia; evidence of vitamin D toxicity; malabsorption syndrome; hypervitaminosis D; abnormal sensitivity to the effects of vitamin D; decreased renal function.
Pediatric doses must be individualized and monitored under close medical supervision. Idiopathic hypercalcemia, renal function impairment, pregnancy, lactation. Coronary disease renal function inpairment and arteriosclerois, especially in the elderly. Hypoparathyroidism.
Dry mouth, muscle pain, polydipsia, anorexia, reversible azotemia, vomiting, pancreatitis, mild acidosis, metallic taste, rhinorrhea.
Hypermagnesemia may develop in patients on chronic renal dialysis. Hypercalcemia in patients on digitalis may precipitate cardiac arrhythmias. Intestinal absorption of calcitriol may be reduced by cholestyramine. Phenytoin, barbiturates may decrease the half-life of calcitriol. Hypoparathyroid patients on calcitriol may develop hypercalcemia due to thiazide diuretics.