Calcitriol-AFT 0.50mcg

Calcitriol-AFT general information

What is Calcitriol-AFT used for?

Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg are used to treat established osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, to reduce the risk of vertebral and hip fractures.  Osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass resulting in brittle bones which can fracture more easily and is often associated with lack of oestrogen in postmenopausal women.  Calcitriol-AFT 0.5 also used to prevent induced osteoporosis following treatment with a corticosteroid, an anti-inflammatory steroid that can cause bone loss.  Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg are also used to correct defective calcium metabolism, which results in weak bones, due to renal osteodystrophy caused by chronic renal failure, particularly when undergoing haemodialysis; hyperparathyroidism (high levels of parathyroid hormone) with moderate to severe chronic renal failure (pre-dialysis), hypoparathyroidism (low high levels of parathyroid hormone) from various causes, and rickets.  

How does Calcitriol-AFT work?

Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg contains calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃), which is the active metabolite of cholecalciferol or Vitamin D₃, a natural prohormone of calcitriol that is synthesised in the skin by the action of sunlight; also obtained in the diet from oily fish, eggs and dairy products.  Calcitriol is converted from Vitamin D₃ in the kidneys into a hormone that regulates calcium metabolism by controlling absorption of calcium and phosphate by the intestine and their secretion by the kidneys.  If there is a lack of Vitamin D₃ then calcium levels may become low and this contributes to brittle bones and to osteoporosis.  Also in chronic renal failure there is insufficient calcitriol produced in the kidneys and this contributes to deficiencies in calcium metabolism and brittle bones.  Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg promote absorption of calcium from the intestines and it also regulates bone remodelling (bone formation and resorption) and bone mineralisation, which helps reduce risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, in renal osteodystrophy and other conditions including hypoparathyroidism and rickets.  Supplementing Vitamin D deficiency with Calcitriol-AFT 0.5 provides a more rapid response in increasing calcium than Vitamin D₃ supplement, which helps make bones stronger and more resistant to fracture. 

What does Calcitriol-AFT contain?

Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg contain the active ingredient calcitriol, a hormone that regulates calcium metabolism.  They also contain butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene and mediumchain triglycerides. The capsule shell contains gelatin, glycerol, sorbitol, sodiumethyl-p-hydroxybenzoate, sodium-propyl-p-hydroxybenzoate and the colorants titanium dioxide, iron oxide red and titanium dioxide, Iron oxide yellow.

Treating osteoporosis with Calcitriol-AFT

Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg contain calcitriol that is used reduce loss of bone density in postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis, to reduce the risk of vertebral and hip fractures.  Calcitriol is the active metabolite of cholecalciferol or Vitamin D₃, a natural prohormone of calcitriol that is synthesised in the skin by the action of sunlight; also obtained in the diet from oily fish, eggs and dairy products.  Calcitriol is converted in the kidneys from Vitamin D₃ into a hormone that regulates calcium metabolism, by controlling absorption of calcium and phosphate by the intestine and their secretion by the kidneys.  Osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass resulting in brittle bones which can fracture more easily.  During menopause, oestrogen production slows down and this increases risk of osteoporosis in menopausal women.  Aging also causes bones to weaken due to loss of bone density, so that men are also susceptible to osteoporosis.  Also low levels of testosterone can cause loss of bone density.  Long-term use of corticosteroid medication (an anti-inflammatory steroid) can also cause bone loss.  Calcitriol-AFT 0.5 promotes absorption of calcium from the intestines and it also regulates bone remodelling (bone formation and resorption) and bone mineralisation, which promotes stronger bones and helps reduce risk of fracture.

Calcitriol-AFT for renal osteodystrophy

Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg contain calcitriol and are used correct defective calcium metabolism, which results in weak bones in renal osteodystrophy due to chronic renal failure.  Calcitriol is the active metabolite of cholecalciferol or Vitamin D₃, a natural prohormone of calcitriol that is synthesised in the skin by the action of sunlight; also obtained in the diet from oily fish, eggs and dairy products.  Calcitriol is converted in the kidneys from Vitamin D₃ into a hormone that regulates calcium metabolism by controlling absorption of calcium and phosphate by the intestine and their secretion by the kidneys.  Renal osteodystrophy is a bone disorder caused by kidney disease in which the damaged kidneys cannot make sufficient calcitriol from Vitamin D₃ to regulate calcium metabolism effectively.  This results in reduced levels of blood calcium, which is needed for strong bones and eventually causes joint pain and increased risk of fracture.  Calcitriol-AFT 0.5 promotes absorption of calcium from the intestines and it also regulates bone remodelling (bone formation and resorption) and bone mineralisation, which promotes stronger bones and helps reduce risk of fracture. 

What are the side effects of Calcitriol-AFT?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg include: hypercalcaemia, acute symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset (constipation, abdominal pain nausea, vomiting), anorexia, weakness, headache, somnolence, dry mouth, muscle pain, bone pain, metallic taste, rash.

When should Calcitriol-AFT not be used?

You should not use Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg if you:

• are allergic to calcitriol or Vitamin D metabolites such as alfacalcidol and colecalciferol. or any ingredient in Calcitriol
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• a disease associated with high levels of calcium (hypercalcaemia)
• have metastatic calcification (extra deposits of calcium)
• have high levels of Vitamin D
• are immobilised such as after surgery, which increases risk of hypercalcaemia.
• are taking medicines that interact with Calcitriol, including any other Vitamin D containing medications, thiazide diuretics, digoxin for heart disease, medicines containing magnesium, like antacids for indigestion, the anticonvulsants phenytoin and phenobarbital, cholestyramine for high cholesterol, corticosteroids like hydrocortisone and prednisolone.

What medications interact with Calcitriol-AFT?

Several medications interact with Calcitriol-AFT and should either not be taken while you are taking Calcitriol-AFT or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that increase risk of hypercalcaemia with Calcitriol: thiazide diuretics, digoxin for heart disease
• Drugs that increase risk of hypermagnesemia with Calcitriol: medicines containing magnesium, like antacids for indigestion
• Drugs that affect Calcitriol: phenytoin and phenobarbital, cholestyramine for high cholesterol, corticosteroids like hydrocortisone and prednisolone

How should Calcitriol-AFT be taken?

You should take your Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food, once or twice daily depending on what you are being treated for.  Your dose may be increased and your blood calcium levels will be monitored.  You should continue to take your Calcitriol capsules 0.5mcg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be several months or years. Do not take any food or vitamin supplements containing Vitamin D while you are taking Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg.

How long should you take Calcitriol-AFT?

You should continue to take your Calcitriol-AFT capsules 0.5mcg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be several months or years.

Missed dose of Calcitriol-AFT

If you miss a dose of Calcitriol-AFT take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Calcitriol-AFT be stored?

You should store your Calcitriol-AFT-AFT below 25°C in a cool dry place.