What is alfacalcidol?

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

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