Uses of Alfacalcidol

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1. Effects of the drug Alfacalcidol

Alfacalcidol is a type of vitamin D that works in bone growth and helps keep bones strong. Besides, Alfacalcidol also helps calcium and phosphate to be absorbed more efficiently from the digestive tract, especially calcium and phosphate are also essential for bone development. Alfacalcidol is used in the treatment of vitamin D deficiency in patients with metabolic conditions including: low blood calcium and phosphate levels, kidney disease, parathyroid disease, rickets, or rickets. Osteoporosis .
In addition, some other effects of the drug are not listed on the approved drug label, but in some cases, the doctor may prescribe the use of Alfacalcidol. Therefore, before taking the medicine, consult your doctor.

2. How to use Alfacalcidol?

Alfacalcidol is available in capsule form with strengths ranging from 0.25mcg, 0.5mcg and 1mcg. In the form of oral drops of 2mcg/ml. Dosage will be based on the patient's medical condition and age, usually starting with a high dose to control symptoms and then gradually reducing:
Usual Adult Dose for Hypocalcemia, Osteoporosis or Osteoporosis Rickets, hypoparathyroidism, hypophosphataemia, renal osteodystrophy: usually start with 1mcg orally daily and maintain at 0.25-1mcg. For the elderly is 0.5mcg per day. Usual dose for children: for premature babies or newborns, the dose is from 0.05-0.1 mcg/kg per day, for children weighing less than 20kg, 0.05mcg/kg per day. Patients can take the drug with or without food, before or after eating. However, to reduce stomach irritation you can take it with food and need to take the tablet whole with a full glass of water, do not chew or break the tablet.
To use the drug safely, take Alfacalcidol exactly as directed by your doctor, do not use more than the recommended dose, smaller or longer than prescribed. Take Alfacalcidol regularly to get the most benefit from it and you can stop taking it if any new symptoms appear or your condition does not improve. Patients absolutely do not abuse the drug for too long for a long time. This does not make the patient's condition better, but also increases the risk of unwanted effects.

3. Undesirable effects when using Alfacalcidol drugs

Alfacalcidol can cause some unwanted and common side effects that can be mentioned as:
Swelling of the face or throat Skin rash Urinating more often Feeling thirsty Dry mouth Metallic taste mouth Fatigue Muscle pain, bone pain Nausea Constipation Skin disease: itching, rash, urticaria Kidney disease: less need to urinate, swelling of any part, fever with symptoms half-body pain. Signs of kidney stones: pain in the lower back Before prescribing the drug, the doctor always considers the benefits and effectiveness of Alfacalcidol. When using Alfacalcidol can still occur unwanted effects. Therefore, when there are unusual symptoms, especially when a severe allergic reaction occurs with accompanying signs such as severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, rash, ... the patient needs to be informed. Immediately notify the doctor or nurse for immediate medical intervention.

4. Some notes when using Alfacalcidol drug

Some notes when using Alfacalcidol include:
Allergic history notice to Alfacalcidol hypersensitivity reaction to any other allergy. Alfacalcidol may contain ingredients that are inactive and could cause an allergic reaction or other serious problems. Report any medications you are taking including prescription and nonprescription drugs, herbs and supplements, foods, dyes or preservatives. Be careful with patients with excessive hypercalcemia, high blood calcium, calcification, kidney stones... If you forget to take a dose of Alfacalcidol, take it again as soon as possible. However, if it is close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue taking or injecting the medicine as scheduled. Do not use more drug than the treatment regimen. Alfacalcidol overdose or ingestion can cause serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, fainting,...

5. Drug interactions

Drug interactions can reduce the effectiveness of Alfacalcidol, or increase the effect of unwanted effects. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, prescription drugs, and herbal products. Do not start, stop or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's consent.
Some drugs that may interact with Alfacalcidol include:
Cholestyramine Reishi Anticonvulsants Sedatives Cardiac Glycosides Thiazide Diuretics

6. How to store Alfacalcidol?

Store Alfacalcidol with film-coated tablets at room temperature below 30 degrees Celsius, protected from light and away from moisture. Do not store Alfacalcidol in a humid place or in the freezer and keep away from heat and open flames. Different medicines will have different storage methods, so read the Alfacalcidol storage instructions on the package carefully, or ask your pharmacist. Keep Alfacalcidol out of the reach of children and family pets. When the medicine has expired or is damaged and cannot be used anymore, dispose of it and dispose of it properly. Do not arbitrarily dispose of Alfacalcidol into the environment such as water pipes or toilets unless requested. Please consult with your waste disposal company or pharmacist on how to safely dispose of Alfacalcidol to help protect the environment.
In short, Alfacalcidol is a type of vitamin D that works in bone growth and helps keep bones strong. Besides, Alfacalcidol also helps calcium and phosphate to be absorbed more effectively from the digestive tract. Alfacalcidol is used in the treatment of vitamin D deficiency in patients with metabolic disorders including: low blood calcium and phosphate levels, kidney disease, parathyroid disease, rickets or osteoporosis. However, Alfacalcidol can cause some unwanted effects and drug interactions, so tell your doctor what medicines you are taking to reduce the risk of unwanted effects and at the same time increase effective for treatment.
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