6 mins read

Overview: Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D used to treat a condition causing high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the blood in people with chronic kidney disease. Calcitriol is also used to treat low calcium levels in people who are receiving dialysis or who have low PTH levels in their blood. The most common side effect is high levels of calcium in the blood. Make sure to keep all appointments, including those for lab work. Tell your health care provider right away if you get nausea, increased thirst, appetite loss, constipation, or confusion.

Uses

What is calcitriol used for?

Calcitriol is commonly used to treat the following conditions.

Calcitriol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does calcitriol work (mechanism of action)?

Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D. It gives the body more of the kind of vitamin D it can turn into the active form. This helps you absorb more calcium, lowers parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and prevents bone problems.

How is calcitriol supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Rocaltrol 

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.25 mcg oral capsules
  • 0.5 mcg oral capsules
  • 1 mcg/mL oral solution

Calcitriol is also available in injectable forms.

See also: Vectical 

How should I store calcitriol?

Oral Capsules and Oral Liquid. Calcitriol capsules and oral liquid should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place, and protect it from light.

Injection Liquid. Calcitriol injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store calcitriol injection at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of calcitriol?

The most common side effect of calcitriol is high calcium levels (hypercalcemia) (see below), which can be serious.

There may be other side effects of calcitriol that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of calcitriol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of calcitriol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Calcitriol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using calcitriol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

High Calcium Levels (Hypercalcemia). Calcitriol can cause high calcium levels, also called hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can lead to serious problems with your kidneys, heart, or bones. Stop using calcitriol and call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Peeing frequently
  • Feeling thirsty
  • Tiredness
  • Confusion or dizziness
  • Poor appetite
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Muscle weakness
  • Bone pain
  • Abnormal heart rhythm

Bone Problems. Calcitriol may cause bone problems and increase your risk of bone fractures. Keep any appointments, including those for lab work or other tests, while you are using calcitriol. Tell your health care provider if you break a bone.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use calcitriol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use calcitriol.

  • Calcitriol
  • Rocaltrol
  • Any other vitamin D analog
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific calcitriol products they stock.

High Calcium Levels (Hypercalcemia) You should not use calcitriol if you have too much calcium in your body (hypercalcemia). See the Serious Side Effects section for more information.

Vitamin D Toxicity. You should not use calcitriol if you have too much vitamin D in your body. Your health care provider will monitor the amount of vitamin D in your blood.

What should I know about calcitriol before using it?

Do not use calcitriol unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share calcitriol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep calcitriol out of the reach of children.

Follow your health care provider's instructions regarding diet.

Your health care provider will likely check blood levels of calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and vitamin D before starting this medicine and while you are using it. Make sure to keep all appointments, including those for lab work.

If you are using a liquid form of this medicine, use an accurate device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a good measuring device.

What should I tell my health care provider before using calcitriol?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if calcitriol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Broken bones or bone problems
  • Kidney problems, including kidney stones
  • Bed rest, unable to get up and move around, or limited mobility

Other Medicines and Supplements. Calcitriol may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using calcitriol, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how calcitriol could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if calcitriol passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop taking calcitriol.

Interactions

Does calcitriol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between calcitriol and foods or drinks

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect calcitriol.

Does calcitriol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using calcitriol.

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat an irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • A thiazide diuretic, also called a water pill, such as hydrochlorothiazide, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
  • Cholestyramine, a medicine used to lower cholesterol
  • A vitamin, supplement, or product containing calcium or vitamin D
  • Ketoconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Certain medicines for seizures, such as phenobarbital or phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others)
  • A corticosteroid, which is a medicine used for inflammatory conditions
  • Sevelamer (Renagel, Renvela), calcium carbonate (Tums, others), calcium acetate, sucroferric oxyhydroxide (Velphoro), or lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenol), which is a medicine that to lower phosphate levels in your blood
  • An antacid, supplement, or laxative containing magnesium

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of calcitriol. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with calcitriol. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much calcitriol?

If you or someone else has used too much calcitriol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of calcitriol?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.