Description
Alfacal 0.25mcg Capsule
ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET belongs to the class of ‘Vitamins’, primarily used to treat low blood calcium and phosphate levels. Tablet effectively treats Vitamin D deficiency, renal osteodystrophy (changes in bone caused by kidney failure), hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid glands make high levels of calcium in the body), hypoparathyroidism (parathyroid glands make low levels of calcium in the body), hypocalcaemia (low levels of calcium), and rickets or osteomalacia (softening or deforming of bones due to lack of calcium).
Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body has low Vitamin D levels and is caused due to inadequate nutrition, intestinal malabsorption, or lack of exposure to sunlight.
ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET contains ‘Alfacalcidol,’ which is an analogue of Vitamin D. It is a nutritional supplement activated by liver enzymes after intake. Alfacalcidol is further converted into the active form of vitamin D3 (calcitriol) and works by strengthening the bones by increasing the calcium and phosphate levels in the blood. Calcium and phosphate are the essential substances to form healthy bones and teeth.
Tablet is available in the form of an oral tablet, capsule, solution, and intravenous shot. Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET is likely safe when taken by mouth or given as a shot.
In some cases, it may cause side effects like weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side effects of Tablet do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET or its inactive components, please inform your doctor. Please tell your doctor if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food).
Brief your medical history if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), and kidney stones. Chewable or dissolving tablets of Tablet may contain sugar or aspartame; hence caution should be taken if you have diabetes and phenylketonuria (increased levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine).
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Tablet passes into the breast milk, hence breastfeeding mothers need to seek medical advice before starting tablets. Tablet is safe to use in children when prescribed by the doctor.
Read More: Alfacal 0.25mcg Capsule
Uses of Tablet
Osteomalacia (Rickets), Vitamin D deficiency, Hypoparathyroidism, Renal Osteodystrophy, Hyperparathyroidism, and Hypocalcaemia
Medicinal Benefits
ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET is used to treat low blood calcium and phosphate levels. It contains Alfacalcidol, a vitamin D analogue. It is used to treat vitamin D deficiency, renal osteodystrophy, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcaemia, and rickets or osteomalacia. Tablet is activated by liver enzymes after intake, which is further converted into the active form of vitamin D3 (calcitriol). It works by strengthening the bones by increasing the calcium and phosphate levels in the blood.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Metallic taste
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Let your doctor know if you are allergic to ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET or its inactive components. Tablet is not recommended if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). Brief your medical history if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), and kidney stones.
Chewable and dissolving tablets of ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET contain sugar or aspartame; hence caution should be taken if you have diabetes and phenylketonuria (increased levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine). Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Tablet is excreted into the breast milk, hence consult your doctor before taking Tablet if you are a breastfeeding mother. Drinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; therefore, it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using Tablet. ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET is safe to use in children when prescribed by the doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET may interact with other vitamin D supplements (Calcipotriene), antacids (that contain Aluminium), heart-related drugs (digoxin), blood pressure medicines (Diltiazem, verapamil), and water pills (chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, metolazone, and chlorthalidone).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol that inhibit the calcium absorption.
Drug-Disease Interaction: ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET is contraindicated in hypercalcaemia, hypervitaminosis D, malabsorption syndrome, Vitamin D toxicity, heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, sarcoidosis, and diabetes.
Safety Advice
-
ALCOHOL
Drinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; hence it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET.
-
PREGNANCY
During pregnancy, use higher doses of ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET than the daily dietary allowance only when advised by the doctor. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before prescribing Tablet.
-
BREASTFEEDING
Consult your doctor before taking ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET if you are breastfeeding. Tablet can pass into the breast milk. If Tablet is used during breastfeeding, please monitor the serum calcium levels of the mother and the infant.
-
DRIVING
If you experience any dizziness while using ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET, do not drive or operate machinery. Please consult your doctor if you experience any dizziness.
-
LIVER
Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET. Hepatic impairment/liver disease can alter the metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain Vitamin D forms.
-
KIDNEY
It is advised to seek doctor advice before starting ALFACAL 0.25MCG TABLET if you have kidney diseases like kidney stones or undergoing dialysis. Caution should be taken in patients undergoing dialysis to maintain adequate phosphorus levels and avoid ectopic calcification (calcium deposition).
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese or milk-based custard in your diet.
- Eat daily a serving of broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, spinach and other green leafy vegetables.
- Include the best dietary sources of vitamin D, such as fish liver oils and vitamin D–fortified milk.
- Snack on calcium-rich nuts like Brazil nuts or almonds.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over your food, vegetables and salads. Sesame seeds are high in calcium.
- Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
- Replace the meat with tofu or tempeh for extra calcium in your food.
Special Advise
Clinical monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations and cardiac function is recommended.
Storage
Keep out of reach of children
Do not use after the expiry date
Store at room temperature (15-25°C)
There are no reviews yet.