• Alpha D3 indications
• Uses of Alpha D3 in details
• Alpha D3 description
• Alpha D3 dosage
• Alpha D3 interactions
• Alpha D3 side effects
• Alpha D3 contraindications

Alpha D3 indications

Alpha D3 is an active metabolite of Alpha D3, which performs important functions in regulation of the calcium balance and the bone metabolism. (Hypocalcemia; Osteodystrophy; secondary hyperparathyroidism;)

Uses of Alpha D3 in details

Alpha D3 is used to treat softening and deformity of the bones due to lack of calcium (rickets or osteomalacia), low levels of calcium in the blood of newborn babies and changes in bone caused by kidney failure (osteodystrophy).

Alpha D3 description

Alpha D3 is an active metabolite of Alpha D3, which performs important functions in regulation of the calcium balance and the bone metabolism. Alpha D3 is Alpha D3-hormone analog which is activated by the enzyme 25-hydroxylase in the liver for systemic and in osteoblasts for local D-hormone actions. It possesses a unique pattern of pleiotropic effects on, e.g. gut, bone, pararthyroids, muscle and brain. Alpha D3 is superior to plain Alpha D3 (cholecalciferol) because the final kidney activation of the latter is regulated by a negative feedback mechanism. (PMID:17438884,17668216)

Alpha D3 dosage

Initial Dose: Adults and Children >20 kg body weight: 1 mcg daily. Children <20 kg body weight: 0.05 mcg/kg/day. Neonates: 0.1 mcg/kg/day.

It is important to adjust dosage according to the biochemical responses and to avoid hypercalcaemia. Indices of response include levels of serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, urinary calcium excretion as well as radiographic and histological investigations. Patients with marked bone disease (other than those with renal failure) may tolerate higher doses without developing hypercalcaemia. However, failure of the serum calcium to rise promptly in osteomalacic patients does not necessarily mean that a higher dose is required, since calcium from increased intestinal calcium absorption may be incorporated into demineralized bone.

Most patients will respond to doses between 1 and 3 mcg daily.

The dose requirements generally decrease in patients with bone disease when there is biochemical or radiographic evidence of bone healing and in hypoparathyroid patients after normal serum calcium levels have been obtained. Maintenance doses are generally in the range of 0.25-2 mcg daily.

Alpha D3 can be given as an IV injection following each hemodialysis. The injection should be administered into the return line from the hemodialysis machine at the end of each dialysis. The initial dose for adults is 1 mcg/dialysis. The maximum dose recommended is 6 mcg/dialysis and not more than 12 mcg/week.

Patients concurrently taking barbiturates or other anticonvulsants may need larger doses of Alpha D3 to produce the desired effect.

Alpha D3 interactions

Patients taking barbiturates or anticonvulsants may require larger doses of Alpha D3 to produce the desired effect.

Incompatibilities: Alpha D3 should not be used concomitantly with other Alpha D3 products or derivates.

Alpha D3 side effects

Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, lassitude, polyuria, sweating, headache, thirst, vertigo, pruritus, rash, urticaria. Hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria and ectopic calcification. In case of renal impairment, hyperphosphataemia. In hypercalcaemic dialysis patients, possibility of calcium influx from the dialysate should be considered.

Alpha D3 contraindications

Hypersensitivity to 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3, Alpha D3 or to any of the analogues and derivatives of Alpha D3.

Alpha D3 is contraindicated when there is a biochemical evidence of hypercalcaemia. Likewise, the drug is contraindicated when there is any evidence of Alpha D3 overdosage.

Active ingredient matches for Alpha D3:

Alfacalcidol in Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Venezuela.