One Alpha - Capsule Alfacalcidol - 0.25mcg 1 Capsule(s) / Capsule Leo Pharmaceutical Products, Denmark Indication: Hypoparathyroidism, Hypocalcaemia, Renal osteodystrophy, Hypophosphataemia, Rickets or osteomalacia Administration: Administration Should be taken with food. Adult Dose: Adult: PO Hypocalcaemia; Hypoparathyroidism; Hypophosphataemia; Renal osteodystrophy; Rickets or osteomalacia Initial: 1 mcg/day. Maintenance: 0.25-1 mcg/day. Elderly: 0.5 mcg daily. Child Dose: Child: PO: Premature infants and neonates: 0.05-0.1 mcg/kg daily; <20 kg: 0.05 mcg/kg daily. Contraindication: Hypercalcaemia, metastatic calcification, hyperphosphataemia (except when occurring with hypoparathyroidism), hypermagnesaemia. Mode of Action: Alfacalcidol is a precursor of the active calcitriol. It does not require renal hydroxylation but requires 25-hydroxylation in the liver for conversion to calcitriol. Precaution: Pregnancy, lactation, renal impairment, infants, elderly. Monitor serum levels of calcium in patients with renal failure. Caution in hypercalciuria esp in those with history of renal calculi. Avoid in patients with hypersensitivity to inj. containing propylene glycol. Side Effect: 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. Interaction: Thiazides may increase the risk of hypercalcaemia. Some antiepileptics e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone may increase vitamin D requirements. Rifampicin, isoniazid and corticosteroids may reduce the efficacy of vitamin D.