Alphacalcidol + Calcium Carbonate
Indications
Alphacalcidol + Calcium Carbonate is used for:
Postmenopausal osteoporosis, Osteoporosis, Osteomalacia/Rickets, Hypoparathyroidism, Latent tetany, Hypocalcaemia, Calcium and vitamin D deficiency, Renal osteodystrophy
Adult Dose
Adult: PO: 1 cap once/twice daily.
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
Should be taken with food.
Contra Indications
Patients with hypercalcaemia and/or hypercalciuria. Nephrolithiasis, hypervitaminosis D, hypophosphataemia.
Precautions
Pregnancy, lactation, renal impairment, infants, elderly. Monitor serum levels of calcium in patients with renal failure. Caution in hypercalciuria esp in those with history of renal calculi.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
May affect the absorption of tetracycline when used together. Concurrent use with systemic corticosteroids may reduce calcium absorption. Thiazide diuretics may decrease urinary excretion of calcium.
Thiazides may increase the risk of hypercalcaemia. Some antiepileptics e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone may increase vitamin D requirements. Rifampicin, isoniazid and corticosteroids may reduce the efficacy of vitamin D.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Alphacalcidol + Calcium Carbonate :
Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, lassitude, polyuria, sweating, headache, thirst, vertigo, pruritus, rash, urticaria. Hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria and ectopic calcification. In case of renal impairment, hyperphosphataemia.
Mechanism of Action
Alfacalcidol is a precursor of the active calcitriol. It does not require renal hydroxylation but requires 25-hydroxylation in the liver for conversion to calcitriol.