Vitamins are compounds that you must have for growth and health. They are needed in small amounts only and are available in the foods that you eat. Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones and teeth.
Lack of vitamin D may lead to a condition called rickets, especially in children, in which bones and teeth are weak. In adults it may cause a condition called osteomalacia, in which calcium is lost from bones so that they become weak. Your doctor may treat these problems by prescribing vitamin D for you. Vitamin D is also sometimes used to treat other diseases in which calcium is not used properly by the body.
Ergocalciferol is the form of vitamin D used in vitamin supplements.
Some conditions may increase your need for vitamin D. These include:
Alcoholism
Intestine diseases
Kidney disease
Liver disease
OverActivity of the parathyroid glands with kidney failure
Pancreas disease
Surgical removal of stomach
In addition, individuals and breast-fed infants who lack exposure to sunlight, as well as dark-skinned individuals, may be more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency. Increased need for vitamin D should be determined by your health care professional.
Alfacalcidol, calcifediol, Rocaltrol, and dihydrotachysterol are forms of vitamin D used to treat hypocalcemia (not enough calcium in the blood). Alfacalcidol, calcifediol, and Rocaltrol are also used to treat certain types of bone disease that may occur with kidney disease in patients who are undergoing kidney dailysis.
Claims that vitamin D is effective for treatment of arthritis and prevention of nearsightedness or nerve problems have not been proven. Some psoriasis patients may benefit from vitamin D supplements; however, controlled studies have not been performed.
Warnings: Before taking Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg Capsule 10's, inform your doctor if you are undergoing hemodailysis due to kidney problems and have a stent in the heart. Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg Capsule 10's may alter calcium levels, so it is recommended to regularly monitor calcium levels in the blood and urine. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice fever, increased thirst and urination, dehydration, bedwetting, constipation, and stomach pain, as they may sign very high levels of calcium in your blood. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg Capsule 10's. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg Capsule 10's may pass into the breast milk, hence breastfeeding mothers need to seek medical advice before starting Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg Capsule 10's. Do not take Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg Capsule 10's if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food).
Medicine Interaction: Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg Capsule 10's may interact with other medicines containing vitamin D, Steroid medicines (hydrocortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone), a medicine used to treat high levels of cholesterol in your blood (cholestyramine), medications containing magnesium, such as antacids (used to treat indigestion), medicines used to treat heart disease (digoxin or digitoxin), and diuretic medicines (bendroflumethiazide, chlortalidone, indapamide)
Side Effects: Signs of an allergic reaction to Rocaltrol: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Rocaltrol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
blistering, or severe redness, itching, or other irritation of treated areas or
worsened symptoms or no improvement in psoriasis.
Using Rocaltrol can affect your body's ability to metabolize calcium. This can result in high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia). Symptoms of this condition include Nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, muscle weakness, confusion, and feeling tired or restless. Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Less serious Rocaltrol side effects may include mild itching or skin discomfort.
How to Store it: Do not store above 25 C. Protect from light and moisture.
Over Dose: Do not store above 25 C. Protect from light and moisture.
Precautions: Do not store above 25 C. Protect from light and moisture.
Missed Dose: Do not store above 25 C. Protect from light and moisture.
