A deficiency in the body of vitamin D3 threatens serious troubles. For children, this deficiency is fraught with the development of rickets, and in adults, its lack may well cause the development of osteoporosis and the like problems.
The modern pharmaceutical market offers its consumers a range of medicines to eliminate this vitamin deficiency. One such medicine is Alfacalcidol. Instructions for use characterize it as an effective tool for normalizing the vitamin-mineral balance in the body.
Pharmacodynamics
This medication is an active form of vitamin D3. The regulation of the metabolism of such important mineral compounds as phosphorus and calcium is also an important property of Alfacalcidol. The use of the drug effectively stimulates the formation of bone tissue. With its direct participation, the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestines and kidneys increases. In addition, this medication increases the mineralization of bone tissue and at the same time lowers the level of parathyroid hormone in the blood. As a result, Alfacalcidol has an anti-rachitic effect and helps to reduce the number of bone fractures.
If the drug is taken in courses, then under its influence the coordination of movements improves, bone and muscle pains (which are a consequence of a violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism) are reduced.
In what cases is the use of a medication justified?
"Alfaclcidol" instructions for use and instructions of medical specialists are recommended in those cases when there is a history of information about osteodystrophy, renal failure in the chronic stage. Then it is used for hypoparathyroidism. The reason for its appointment is rickets, osteomalacia (a decrease in the volume of bone tissue) and bone softening, the nature of the development of which can be very different. Osteoporosis - steroid, senile, postmenopausal - is also successfully treated with Alfacalcidol.
The prescription of this drug is practiced in cases where the patient suffers from renal acidosis, or has a history of Fanconi syndrome (a complex disease that includes hereditary renal acidosis, nephrocalcinosis, rickets, and possibly adiposogenital dystrophy).
With all these problems, Alfacalcidol can provide effective help.
When should you refrain from taking it?
The list of contraindications for the drug "Alfacalcidol" instructions for use. Reviews of experts prohibit taking the drug if there is a history of information about hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia (except for developing with hyperparathyroidism), hypermagnemia. This drug should not be used in case of general intoxication of the body associated with excessive vitamin D3. It is unacceptable to prescribe Alfacalcidol to nursing mothers.
Well, and, of course, you can’t take the medication for people with individual hypersensitivity to the components of the medication.
Use and Dosage Options
The most complete information about the methods of use and dosage contains instructions for use for the drug "Alfacalcidol". The form of release (capsules of 0.25 or 1 μg), the dose and duration of the therapeutic course are selected by the doctor individually, depending on the severity of the patient's condition and the nature of the disease.
For example, adult patients suffering from rickets caused by vitamin D3 deficiency, gastrointestinal problems, should receive a dose in the amount of 1 to 3 mcg during the day. A positive result with therapy for hypoparathyroidism will be subject to receiving from 2 to 4 μg of the drug per day. The daily volume for renal failure and osteodystrophy should not exceed the volume of the drug in 2 mcg. Fanconi syndrome and renal acidosis are effectively treated provided that the patient receives a daily dose of Alfacalcidol in the amount of 2-6 micrograms. If patients have osteomalacia and hypophosphatemic rickets, the effective daily dosage may range from 4 to 20 mcg.
Doctors recommend starting treatment with the minimum dosages specific to each specific disease. During treatment, it is necessary to monitor the plasma content of such elements as calcium and phosphorus (at least 1 time during the week). It is permissible to increase the dosage of Alfacalcidol by no more than 0.5 micrograms per day. When the minimum effective dosage is found, the calcium content in the blood should be monitored at least every 3-5 weeks.
Undesirable manifestations
Like any medication, there is a list of side effects for Alfacalcidol. Instructions for use (synonyms, by the way, also have the same effect) informs patients that the digestive system can react to taking the drug. In most cases, nausea, vomiting, pain in the epigastric region, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, dry mucous membranes in the mouth appear. Anorexia may appear.
From the side of the central nervous system, general weakness and drowsiness, increased fatigue, headaches and dizziness can occur. Sometimes patients talk about the development of tachycardia (heart palpitations) and an increase in blood pressure. Perhaps the appearance of dermatological reactions in the form of itching and rashes on the skin, the development of not very intense bone, muscle and joint pain. Laboratory indicators may slightly change in the direction of increasing the number of high density lipoproteins. There is a likelihood of developing hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia (in patients with abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys).
Excess dose
A number of negative manifestations will be observed if the dosage allowed for the drug "Alfacalcidol" is exceeded. Instructions for use warns patients about the risk of developing hypervitaminosis D. The early symptoms of an overdose are caused by hypercalcemia. Of the most striking, any reactions of the gastrointestinal tract, muscle pain, metallic taste in the mouth, and fatigue can be distinguished.
In chronic intoxication, patients report drowsiness and headaches, general weakness, irritability, insomnia, memory impairment, and a slight increase in blood pressure can be observed. In the composition of the blood, residual volumes of nitrogen and creatinine are sometimes present. There is a risk of conjunctival hyperemia, calcification of the kidneys, lungs, soft tissues and blood vessels, the formation of calculi in the kidneys. Voice problems (hoarseness) may occur.
To eliminate the consequences of an overdose, it is necessary to cancel the medication, rinse the stomach, prescribe loop diuretics, bisphophonates, depending on the symptoms, hemodialysis using low concentrated calcium solutions.
Restrictions on the use of the drug
There are a number of diseases in which it is necessary to take Alfacalcidol with caution. The instruction for use recommends that patients suffering from atherosclerosis, sarcoidosis (or any other type of granulomatosis), pulmonary tuberculosis (active stage), heart failure and renal failure (chronic form) take a closer look at their health status. “Alfacalcidol” is prescribed with caution if the patient has symptoms of nephrourolithiasis. Children and elderly patients are also at risk (in the latter, medication can give impetus to the development of atherosclerosis).
Pregnancy and lactation
As for pregnant women and nursing mothers, the "Alfacalcidol" instruction can be used only in cases where the expected positive result for the mother outweighs the risk to the development and health of the baby.
Hypercalcemia in the expectant mother, provoked by the prolonged use of Alfacalcidol, can give impetus to the development of a number of problems in the fetus. Among the most serious diseases in an unborn child are hypersensitivity to vitamin D, inhibition of the functioning of the parathyroid gland, aortic stenosis, slow mental development, syndrome of a specific elf-like appearance.
In addition, Alfacalcidol in small volumes is capable of excreted in breast milk during lactation. To avoid the risk of symptoms of hypercalcemia in a child, systemic medication should be taken with great care.
Interaction with other substances
"Alfacalcidol" instructions for use recommend not to be taken in parallel with anticonvulsants (barbiturates, phenytonitis, etc.) due to an increase in its ("Alfacalcidol") metabolism. Inhibitors have the opposite effect. The use of the medication in conjunction with digitalis products may provoke the development of arrhythmia.
The absorption of Alfacalcidol will significantly decrease when taken in parallel with albumin, antacids, mineral oil, colestipol, colestyramine, sucralfate.
Combination with laxatives or magnesium-containing antacids increases the likelihood of developing hypermagnesemia or hyperaluminemia. When using Alfacalcidol with medications containing vitamin D or any of its derivatives, the risk of developing hypercalcemia increases.
The toxic effect of Alfacalcidol is significantly reduced with the simultaneous use of tocopherol, ascorbic and pantothenic acids, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin A. The effect of Alfacalcidol is less pronounced in the presence of derivatives of pamidronic and ethindrone acids, glucocorticoids, calciton. In addition, this medication stimulates the absorption of phosphorus-containing substances, which increases the risk of hyperphosphatemia.
Similar drugs
Analogs are widely represented on the pharmaceutical market of the country for the drug "Alfacalcidol". Instructions for use contain information on the most effective of them. These include drugs “Etalfa”, “Alpha D3-Teva”, “Alfadol-Sa”, “Van-alpha”, “Oksidevit”, “Tevabon”.
Manufacturers offer these medicines to consumers in a variety of forms: tablets and gelatin capsules, drops and powder, solutions for intravenous infusion.
Reviews on the drug "Alfacalcidol"
Any medicine has adherents and opponents, the same is true with the drug Alfacalcidol. Instructions for use, photos of patients who are satisfied with the effect on the body, make it clear to consumers that this medication can significantly improve the quality of human life with a number of diseases associated with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, and a violation of calcium-phosphorus metabolism. In addition, Alfacalcidol is able to simply improve the condition of nails and hair, which is also important.
Some patients are unhappy with the fact that Alfacalcidol is not available for sale, as this requires a prescription from a doctor. However, health workers are of the opinion that such serious drugs should not be available to everyone.