| Drug Name: | Alfacalcidol |
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| Drug Class: | Vitamin D analogues |
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| Mechanism of Action: | - Alfacalcidol is a prodrug of calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D
- It increases the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the gut
- It also promotes bone mineralization
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| Use: | - Treatment of vitamin D deficiency
- Management of hypocalcemia and osteoporosis
- Prevention of bone fractures in patients with osteoporosis
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| Side Effects: | - Hypercalcemia
- Hyperphosphatemia
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
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| Contraindications: | - Hypercalcemia
- Hypersensitivity to alfacalcidol or vitamin D
- Malabsorption syndrome
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| Specialty: | - Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
- Geriatrics
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