CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3) (cholecalciferol (vitamin d3))


Drug overview for CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3) (cholecalciferol (vitamin d3)):

Generic name: CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3)
Drug class: Vitamin D
Therapeutic class: Electrolyte Balance-Nutritional Products

No enhanced Introduction information available for this drug.

Vitamin D analogs are used to prevent or treat rickets or osteomalacia and to manage hypocalcemia associated with hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism. Since calcitriol is more expensive than ergocalciferol, use of the former drug is generally reserved for patients with inadequate metabolism of ergocalciferol. The initial treatment of severe hypocalcemia is immediate IV administration of a calcium salt such as calcium gluconate.

Vitamin D analogs are then used to maintain normocalcemia. Because of its shorter onset of action, calcitriol may be preferable to ergocalciferol in the acute treatment of hypocalcemia. Oral calcitriol also is used in the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism and resultant metabolic bone disease in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) who do not yet require maintenance dialysis therapy (predialysis patients) and in the management of hypocalcemia and resultant metabolic bone disease in patients with CKD undergoing dialysis.

IV calcitriol is used in the management of hypocalcemia in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis. IV or oral doxercalciferol is used for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with CKD undergoing dialysis. Oral doxercalciferol also is used for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD who do not yet require maintenance dialysis (predialysis patients).

IV paricalcitol is used in the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 5 CKD, while oral paricalcitol is used in the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD as well as in those with stage 5 CKD requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Calcifediol is used in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD and vitamin D insufficiency. Because of the risk of toxicity, therapy with vitamin D analogs should be closely monitored, and indiscriminate use of these drugs should be avoided.
DRUG IMAGES
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The following indications for CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3) (cholecalciferol (vitamin d3)) have been approved by the FDA:

Indications:
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
Hypoparathyroidism
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
Rickets
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D dependent rickets


Professional Synonyms:
Active rickets
Adult rickets
Condition due to low levels of PTH
Glucocorticoid hormone-induced osteoporosis
Glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis
Glycocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
Late rickets
Rachitis tarda
Rachitis
Vitamin D dependent infantile osteomalacia
Vitamin D dependent juvenile osteomalacia
Vitamin D dependent rachitis