Alfacalcidol: instructions for use, formulation, reviews, photo, dosage, analogues

The lack of vitamin D3 in the body threatens serious trouble. For children, this deficiency is fraught with the development of rickets, and in adults, its shortage may well lead to the development of osteoporosis and similar problems.

The modern market of medications offers its consumers a variety of medicines to eliminate the deficiency of this vitamin. One such medication is Alfacalcidol. The 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. Regulation of the exchange of important mineral compounds, such as phosphorus and calcium, is also an important property of Alfacalcidol. The use of the drug effectively stimulates the formation of bone tissue. With his direct participation, the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine and kidneys is increased. In addition, this medicine increases the mineralization of bone tissue and simultaneously lowers the level of the parathyroid hormone in the blood. As a consequence, "Alfacalcidol" has anti-rachitic effect and helps to reduce the number of fractures of bones.

If the drug is taken by courses, then under its influence, coordination of movements improves, bone and muscle pains (which are a consequence of the violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism) decrease.

In what cases is the use of the drug justified?

"Alfaclcidol" instructions for use and instructions of medical specialists recommend appointing in cases when there is information in the medical history about osteodystrophy, renal insufficiency in the chronic stage. Further it is used for hypoparathyroidism. The basis for its appointment is rickets, osteomalacia (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 the help of "Alfacalcidol".

Practice is the appointment of this drug in cases where the patient suffers from renal acidosis, or in an anamnesis he has Fanconi syndrome (a complex disease involving renal acidosis, which is hereditary, nephrocalcinosis, rickets and, possibly, adiposogenital dystrophy).

With all these problems, Alfacalcidol can provide effective assistance.

When should I refrain from taking?

The list of contraindications contains for the medication "Alfacalcidol" instructions for use. Experts' reviews prohibit taking the drug if there is anamnesis information about hypercalcemia, hyperphosphataemia (except developing with hyperparathyreosis), hypermagnes. Do not use this drug in case of general intoxication of the body, associated with excessive vitamin D3. It is unacceptable to prescribe "Alfacalcidol" to nursing mothers.

Well, of course, you can not take medicine for people with individual hypersensitivity to the components of the medicine.

Variants of application and dosage

The most complete information on the methods of use and dosage contains for the medication "Alfacalcidol" instructions for use. The form of the 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, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, should receive within a day a dose of 1 to 3 mcg. A positive result with therapy for hypoparathyroidism will be provided on receipt of 2 to 4 μg of drug per day. The daily volume in case of insufficient renal activity and osteodystrophy should not exceed the amount of medicament in 2 mcg. Fanconi syndrome and renal acidosis are effectively treated provided that the patient receives a daily dose of "Alfacalcidol" in a volume of 2-6 μg. If the patients have osteomalacia and hypophosphatemic rickets, the volume of effective daily dosage can fluctuate in the range from 4 to 20 μg.

Physicians recommend starting treatment with the minimum dosages specific to each specific disease. In the course of treatment, it is necessary to monitor the content of plasma elements such as calcium and phosphorus (at least 1 time per week). The dosage of "Alfacalcidol" can be increased by no more than 0.5 μg per day. When the lowest effective dosage is found, the calcium content of the blood should be monitored at least every 3-5 weeks.

Undesirable manifestations

As with any medicine, there is a list of side effects and the "Alfacalcidol". Instructions for use (synonyms, by the way, also have the same effect) brings to the attention of patients that the digestive system may respond to taking the drug. In most cases, there is nausea, vomiting, pain in the epigastric region, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, sensations of dry mucous in the mouth. Anorexia may occur.

From the side of the central nervous system, general weakness and drowsiness, increased fatigue, headaches and dizziness may occur. Sometimes patients talk about the development of tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and an increase in blood pressure indicators. Perhaps the emergence of dermatological reactions in the form of itching and rashes on the skin, the development of not very intense bone, muscle and joint pain. The laboratory indicators may slightly change in the direction of increasing the number of high-density lipoproteins. There is a possibility of hypercalcemia, hyperphosphataemia (in those with deviations in kidney function).

Exceeding the permissible dose

A number of negative manifestations will be observed if the dosage for the drug "Alfacalcidol" is exceeded. Instruction for use warns patients about the risk of hypervitaminosis D. Early symptoms of overdose are caused by hypercalcemia. Of the brightest, you can identify any reactions of the gastrointestinal tract, muscle pains, metallic taste in the mouth, fatigue.

In chronic intoxication, patients report drowsiness and headaches, general weakness, irritability, insomnia, memory impairment and a slight increase in blood pressure indicators can be observed. In the blood, residual volumes of nitrogen and creatinine are sometimes present. There is a risk of congestion hyperemia, calcification of the kidneys, lungs, soft tissues and blood vessels, the formation of concrements in the kidneys. There may be problems with the voice (hoarseness).

To eliminate the effects of overdose, it is necessary to cancel the medication, rinse the stomach, prescribe loop diuretics, bisphofonates depending on the symptomatology, and conduct hemodialysis using low concentrated calcium solutions.

Limitations for the use of the drug

There are a number of diseases in which it is necessary to take with care "Alfacalcidol". The instructions for use recommend that patients with atherosclerosis, sarcoidosis (or any other types of granulomatosis), pulmonary tuberculosis (active stage), heart failure and renal failure (chronic form) should be more attentive to their health condition. With care appoint "Alfacalcidol" in the presence of the patient's symptoms of nephrourolythiasis. Children and patients of advanced age are also at risk (the latter can give an impetus to the development of atherosclerosis in the latter).

Pregnancy and lactemia

As for pregnant women and lactating mothers, the "Alfacalcidol" instruction allows to apply only in cases where the expected positive result for the mother exceeds the risk for the development and health of the baby.

Hypercalcemia in the future 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 a child who has not yet been born can be called hypersensitivity to vitamin D, oppression of parathyroid gland functioning, aortic stenosis, delayed mental development, a syndrome of a specific elf-like appearance.

In addition, "Alfacalcidol" in small amounts is able in the lactation process to excrete with breast milk. To avoid the risk of symptoms of hypercalcemia in a child, it is necessary to take the medicine system with great care.

Interaction with other substances

"Alfacalcidol" instructions for use recommend not taking in parallel with anticonvulsant drugs (barbiturates, phenitonite, etc.) due to the increase in its ("Alfacalcidol") metabolism. Opposite influence is exerted by inhibitors. The use of medication in conjunction with products containing digitalis can provoke the development of arrhythmia.

Significantly decrease the absorption of "Alfacalcidol" with its parallel reception with albumin, antacids, mineral oil, colestipol, colestyramine, sucralfate.

Combination with laxatives or magnesium-containing antacids increases the likelihood of hypermagnesia or hyperaluminemia. With the use of "Alfacalcidol" with medications that include vitamin D or any of its derivatives, the risk of hypercalcemia increases.

The toxic effect of "Alfacalcidol" is significantly reduced with the parallel application of tocopherol, ascorbic and pantothenic acids, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin A. The effect from the action of "Alfacalcidol" is less pronounced in the presence of derivatives of pamidron and etindronic acids, glucocorticoids, calciton. In addition, this drug stimulates the absorption of phosphorus-containing substances, which increases the risk of hyperphosphataemia.

Similar drugs

Alfacalcidol analogues are widely represented on the pharmaceutical market of the country. Instruction for use contains information on the most effective of them. These include the preparations of "Ethal", "Alpha D3-Teva", "Alfadol-Sa", "Van Alfa", "Oxidevit", "Tevabon".

These drugs manufacturers offer consumers in a variety of forms: tablets and gelatin capsules, drops and powder, solutions for intravenous infusion.

Reviews about the drug "Alfacalcidol"

Any drug has adherents and opponents, so it is with the drug Alfacalcidol. Instructions for use, photos of patients who are satisfied with the impact on the body, make it clear to consumers that this medication is able to significantly improve the quality of life for a variety of diseases associated with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, 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 can not be purchased on a free sale, as it requires a prescription from a doctor. However, health workers are of the opinion that such serious drugs should not be available to everyone.