Patient/caregiver was educated on side effects of using Calcitriol as follows:
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Calcitriol use, by elevating the serum calcium levels, can result in increased force of cardiac contraction. This can result in increased volume of blood pumped out of the heart and can contribute to elevated blood pressure, resulting in episodes of severe headache, fatigue, confusion, chest pain, difficulty breathing, pounding sensation in chest, neck, and ears. Individuals with history of hypertension can be at increased risk for development of stroke and can demonstrate symptoms such as, numbness or weakness, especially in one half of the body, poor balance, sudden problems with speech and/or vision, severe headache, and confusion. Report to your physician regarding any symptoms of elevated blood pressure and stroke development, for further investigation and necessary changes in the plan of care.
- Continued elevation of calcium levels in the blood with calcitriol use carries the risk of causing and/or aggravating cardiac arrhythmias, leading to severe debility and death. Individuals can present with episodes of chest pain, rapid pounding heartbeat, irregular heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and confusion.
Central nervous system side-effects
- Calcitriol use can induce some dizziness and episodes of confusion, which can resolve in due course of time. Watching closely for the therapeutic response and gradually changing the dose, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by calcitriol intake.
- Calcitriol use, secondary to elevated calcium levels in the blood, carries risk of deterioration of mood disorders and worsening of clinical symptoms of mood disorders. Individuals can present with complaints such as, feeling low, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, hallucinations, gross appetite changes, impulsiveness, agitation, and aggression.
