Category- Suppliments
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) 2. To treat restore bone density 3. To treat reduce the softening of bone (osteomalacia) 4. To normalize the hyperactivity of the parathyroid hormone 5. To treat involuntary muscle spasm (muscle tetany) |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Dry mouth 2. Headache 3. Loss of appetite 4. Metallic taste in mouth 5. Upset stomach |
| Additional Information | Avoid consuming alcohol and tobacco with this medicine |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | To be taken orally |
Calcitriol Summary
Calcitriol 0.25 mcg is the active form of vitamin D3 used to treat conditions like chronic kidney disease, hypoparathyroidism, and calcium or vitamin D deficiency-related bone disorders such as rickets (soft and weak bones in children due to vitamin D deficiency) and osteomalacia (soft bones in adults caused by lack of vitamin D.
It works by helping the body absorb more calcium and phosphorus from food, reducing calcium loss through urine, and lowering parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels to maintain proper calcium balance and bone health. Because it is a very potent form of vitamin D, even a small overdose can lead to high calcium levels (hypercalcemia) in the body, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, weakness, excessive thirst, and kidney problems. To use it safely, it’s important to follow the prescribed dose, avoid extra calcium or vitamin D supplements unless advised, and get regular blood tests to monitor calcium and kidney function.
Calcitriol Uses
Calcitriol 0.25 mcg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of vitamin D analogs. It is used to treat following indications:
- Osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones)
- Osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones)
- Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (high levels of parathyroid hormone) especially in people with chronic kidney disease
- Latent tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels)
- Metabolic bone disease in people with chronic kidney disease structure infections
- Urinary tract infections
Directions for use
- If you forget to take calcitriol, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
- Take calcitriol exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking calcitriol without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
side effects
More Common
- Hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels in the blood)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Headache and feeling lazy
- Drowsy or weak
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Urinary tract infection
- Rash
Less Common
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Swelling
- Vomiting,
- Weight loss difficile infection
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
How Calcitriol works
Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D3, and it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from the food we eat. It works mainly in the intestines by increasing the amount of calcium that enters the bloodstream. It also helps the kidneys hold on to calcium so that less is lost in urine. In addition, calcitriol plays an important role in keeping bones healthy by maintaining the right balance of calcium, and it helps control the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which can affect bone strength. Overall, it supports strong bones and proper calcium levels in the body.
Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking calcitriol with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Interaction with Food Product
Don’t eat too many calcium-rich foods (like cheese or milk) or take calcium tablets unless your doctor says so. Too much calcium along with calcitriol can be harmful to your body.
Storage
- Keep out of reach of children
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take calcitriol exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
The recommended dose of calcitriol is 0.25–0.5 mcg per day for adults, while for children and during pregnancy the dose should be determined by the doctor based on individual needs and medical condition.
Natural Sources of Calcitriol
Sunlight
Your skin gets vitamin D when you spend time in the sun.
Fatty Fish
Fishlike salmon, sardines, and tuna have lots of vitamin D.
Egg Yolk
Eating the yellow part of eggs gives a small amount of vitamin D.
Beef Liver
This organ meat has some natural vitamin D.
Mushrooms
If they grow in sunlight, they can give you some vitamin D, too.
FAQ’s
What are the uses of calcitriol tablets?
Calcitriol is used for hypocalcemia (low calcium), osteoporosis (brittle bones), osteomalacia (soft bones), hypoparathyroidism (low parathyroid hormone), and latent tetany (muscle twitching).
What are the side effects of calcitriol?
Common side effects of Calcitriol include hypercalcemia (high blood calcium), loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, weakness, stomach discomfort, urinary tract infection, and rash.
What is the adult dose for calcitriol?
Adult dose for calcitriol is about 0.25mcg to 0.5mcg.
Reference
- Calcitriol (topical application route) [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from
- Calcitriol Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing – WebMD [Internet]. www.webmd.com. Available from
- Calcijex, Rocaltrol (calcitriol) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more [Internet]. reference.medscape.com. Available from
- Lung BE, Mowery ML, Komatsu DEE. Calcitriol [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021. Available from
Authors
Pranathi is a final year Pharm D student at Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She loves learning and applying her knowledge in pharmacy and has a passion for writing, which allows her to express ideas clearly and creatively. She enjoys combining her technical skills with her love for writing and communication to make a meaningful impact. Currently she is working on a research paper about “Consanguineous marriages and its impact on children’s health” which will be published by the end of 2025.