What is alfacalcidol?
- Type of drug: synthetic form of Vitamin D
- Use: renal bone disease
- Dose: 0.25-1.0 mcg once a day (0.25 mcg is the usual starting dose)
- Side-effects: abdominal pain; headache; hypercalcaemia (high calcium level) – that you will not normally notice
- Monitor: calcium.
Note. Other forms of vitamin D include Calcitriol, Doxercalciferol and Paricalcitol (latter two used more in the USA).
Other resources
CKD drug side-effects
CKD patient information (CKD Explained 30+ core articles)
Alfacalcidol (BNF)
Review article: Brandi, 2017
Doxercalciferol
Paricalcitol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehro0_3sRao
Last Reviewed on 5 May 2024