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 problems or parathyroid problems.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as directed. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed by your health care 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 health care provider. Take only the calcium supplements your health care provider prescribes.

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

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 health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

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

Check with your health care 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.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you are 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 health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, seizures, increased blood pressure. These are signs of overdose.

Other: Diarrhea, constipation, headache, dry mouth, weakness, unusual thirst, 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 health care 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)
• digitalis, digoxin (Lanoxin), and digitoxin (Crystodigin)
• diuretics such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Esidrix, Oretic), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), and quinethazone (Hydromox)
• medicines and vitamin products containing vitamin D
• phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and other medicines for seizures
• thiazide diuretics such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Esidrix, Oretic), and bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care 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.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care 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.