Patient/caregiver was educated on side effects of using Calcitriol as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Calcitriol use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with calcitriol, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Calcitriol use can result in elevation of serum calcium and phosphorus. Once optimal concentrations of serum calcium and phosphorus are reached, calcitriol helps with mobilization and deposition of calcium and phosphorus in the bones, thus helping with the mineralization and strengthening of the bones.
- Continued calcitriol use, secondary to very highly elevated calcium levels in the blood, can result in deposition of calcium in various other body sites, resulting in ectopic calcification, irregular bone surfaces from calcium deposition, bone pain, and discomfort. Report to your physician immediately regarding any fresh episodes or exacerbation of these symptoms, for any change in the dose of calcitriol or plan of care to be considered.
- Continued elevation of calcium levels in the blood with calcitriol use carries the risk of lowering the threshold for seizures, thereby, resulting in seizure activity, especially in individuals with history of the same. Report any new episodes/exacerbation of seizure activity to your physician immediately for appropriate change in your plan of care.
- High calcium levels in the blood can also result in muscle spasms and overactive reflexes, contributing to muscle pain, weakness, discomfort, falls and accidents. Report to your physician immediately regarding any fresh episodes or exacerbation of these symptoms, for any change in the dose of calcitriol or plan of care to be considered.
