Calcijex Side Effects

Generic Name: calcitriol

Please note - some side effects for Calcijex may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Calcijex - for the Consumer

Calcijex Solution

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. When used in small doses, no COMMON side effects have been reported with Calcijex Solution. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Calcijex Solution:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; bone pain; constipation; decreased sex drive; diarrhea; difficult or painful urination; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; eye redness or irritation; fever; flushing; frequent urination; headache; increased body temperature; increased thirst; irregular heartbeat; loss of appetite; mental or mood changes; metallic taste; muscle pain; nausea; runny nose; sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight; stomach pain or cramps; unexplained weight loss; unusual thinking; vomiting; weakness.

Side Effects by Body System

Metabolic

Early signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia include headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, metallic taste, constipation, abdominal cramps, dry mouth, weakness, fatigue, muscle and bone pain, ataxia, tinnitus, abdominal pain, and vertigo. Later hypercalcemia may result in pruritus, mental confusion, coma, elevated hepatic transaminase levels, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, metastatic calcification, and renal insufficiency manifested by polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia, and proteinuria and elevated BUN.

In one study, the incidence of hypercalcemia was lower (50% vs 80%) when calcitriol was administered at night as opposed to morning administration. Hypercalcemia also appears to occur more commonly in patients receiving intermittent vs. continuous therapy and in oral vs. intravenous therapy.

Patients with renal failure are more prone to the development of hypercalcemia because the urinary excretion of calcium cannot compensate for increases in serum calcium.

Increased phosphate absorption may be detrimental in patients with chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia.

Metabolic side effects have included hypercalcemia and increased phosphate absorption.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. A single case of erythema multiform has been reported. Another case involving a single patient experiencing an allergic reaction including total body hives and swelling of the lips has also been reported.

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