Calcitriol, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vitamin; nutritional supplement

Generic and brand names: calcitriol, oral; vitamin D, oral; Rocaltrol

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a form of vitamin D used to increase the amount of calcium in your blood and to treat certain bone diseases caused by kidney or parathyroid gland problems. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or to vitamin D
• kidney disease or kidney stones

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed by your healthcare provider.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Drink plenty of water while you are taking this medicine.

Follow any special diet recommended by your healthcare provider. Take only the calcium supplements your healthcare provider prescribes.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any containing calcium or vitamin D.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: irregular heartbeat, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, weakness, headache, dry skin, confusion, coma.

What should I watch out for?

Your healthcare provider may want to see you regularly to check your progress.

Check with your healthcare provider about taking other medicines, including nonprescription medicines and vitamin products containing vitamin D. Certain types of antacids should be avoided when taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, seizures, unusual thirst, extreme tiredness, unexplained muscle or bone pain, sudden weight loss, confusion, loss of balance. These are signs of overdose.

Other: Diarrhea, constipation, headache, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antacids containing calcium or magnesium such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums (Do NOT take antacids while you are taking this medicine.)
• cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid)
• corticosteroids such as cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone, hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, A-HydroCort), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone, and prednisolone (Pediapred)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Oretic), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), and polythiazide (Renese)
• medicines and vitamin products containing vitamin D
• mineral oil

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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