What is the use of alfacalcidol capsules?
Alfacalcidol is a vitamin D supplement used to treat deficiency in conditions including hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels), rickets (bone weakness), and others. Ergocalciferol is a class of medication called vitamin D analogs. This works by helping the body to use more calcium in foods or supplements.
Why is alfacalcidol given?
Although alfacalcidol is widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis, its mechanism of action in bone is not fully understood. Alfacalcidol stimulates intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption, increases urinary Ca excretion and serum Ca levels, and suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion.
How much alfacalcidol should I take?
Doses up to 5 micrograms (mcg) daily may be required though between 2 – 3 mcg is average. As Alfacalcidol helps your body to absorb calcium from the gut, ie from your diet, the more Alfacalcidol you take the fewer calcium supplements you will need (if any).
How long does alfacalcidol take to work?
In patients with nutritional osteomalacia, alfacalcidol increased calcium absorption with six hours of oral administration and the effects peaked at 24 hours.
Can I take vitamin D with alfacalcidol?
The risk or severity of hypercalcemia can be increased when Trichlormethiazide is combined with Alfacalcidol. The therapeutic efficacy of Alfacalcidol can be decreased when used in combination with Trilostane. The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alfacalcidol is combined with Vitamin D.
Can you overdose on alfacalcidol?
Overdose. Symptoms of overdosage include anorexia, lassitude, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, weight loss, polyuria, sweating, headache, thirst, vertigo, and raised concentrations of calcium and phosphate in plasma and urine.
What is the difference between vitamin D3 and alfacalcidol?
Due to strong feedback regulation, plain vitamin D is not activated in the kidney in vitamin-replete patients, while alfacalcidol, having been hydroxylated at position 1, bypasses regulation and increases available amounts of active D-hormone in different target tissues.
Is alfacalcidol a vitamin D3?
Alfacalcidol, or 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol or 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3, is a non-endogenous analogue of vitamin D. It plays an essential function in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism.
Which is better alfacalcidol or cholecalciferol?
We conclude that alfacalcidol plus calcium is highly superior to plain vitamin D3 plus calcium in the treatment of established GC induced osteoporosis, and the latter should no longer be used as monotherapy.
Can you take vitamin D with alfacalcidol?
Alfacalcidol is a form of vitamin D which does not need this activation process, and so it is particularly helpful for people who need their bones strengthening but who also have kidney problems. You may also need to take mineral supplements along with alfacalcidol.