Alfacalcidol

Alfacalcidol is an analogue of vitamin D used for supplementation in humans and as a poultry feed additive.

Alfacalcidol

Alfacalcidol, 1-Hydroxycholecalciferol, One-Alpha, Alfarol, EinsAlpha

Acal, Alcalci-D, Alcidol, Alfa Caps Plus, Alfa Surecal, Alfacal Plus, Alfarich, Alpha B-CAL, Alpha-C, Alphadol-C, Alphasac, Alpidol, AVM, Atecal.

(1R, 3S, 5Z)-5-{2-[(1R,3aS,4E,7aR)-7a-methyl-1-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-octahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene}-4-methylidenecyclohexane-1,3-diol

• Absorption: Oral(GI)
• Distribution: Adipose and muscle tissue; enters breast milk. 
• Metabolism: Hepatic
• Excretion: Urine and  Faeces 

Alfacalcidol is Vitamin D-hormone analog which is activated by the enzyme 25-hydroxylase in the liver for systemic and in osteoblasts for local D-hormone actions.

• Oral: 1 mcg/day
• IV: 1 mcg per dialysis 2-3 times in a week

Hypocalcaemia, Renal osteodystrophy, Hypoparathyroidism, Rickets or osteomalacia, Hypophosphataemia.

Anorexia, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, vertigo, lassitude, polyuria, rash, sweating, thirst, pruritus, urticaria. Hypercalcaemia, In case of renal impairment, hyperphosphataemia.

• Thiazides may increase the risk of hypercalcaemia. 
• Rifampicin, INH & corticosteroids may reduce the efficacy of Vitamin D.
• Antiepileptics e.g carbamazeepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone may increase vitamin D requirments.

Hypercalcaemia, metastatic calcification, hyperphosphataemia, hypermagnesaemia.

• Liquid: Refrigerate at 2-8°C.
• Capsule: Store below 25°C.

Molecular weight

400.6371

Molecular formula

C27H44O2

CAS number

41294-56-8

Precautions

• Avoid in patients with hypersensitivity to injections containing propylene glycol.
• Pregnancy, lactation, renal impairment, infants, elderly. Monitor serum levels of calcium in patients with renal failure. Caution in hypercalciuria especially in those with history of renal calculi.