Calcijex Side Effects

Generic name: calcitriol

Note: This document contains side effect information about calcitriol. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Calcijex.

Some side effects of Calcijex may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to calcitriol: oral capsule, oral liquid

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking calcitriol (the active ingredient contained in Calcijex) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using calcitriol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• weakness, headache, drowsiness;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;

• loss of appetite;

• dry mouth, increased thirst;

• metallic taste in your mouth;

• urinating more than usual;

• fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

• changes in behavior;

• muscle pain, bone pain, muscle weakness, loss of height;

• slow growth (in a child taking calcitriol); or

• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to calcitriol: injectable solution, oral capsule, oral liquid

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 (the active ingredient contained in Calcijex) 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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