Drug Interactions between ketoconazole and paricalcitol

You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with ketoconazole. Ketoconazole may cause liver damage and using it with alcohol or products containing alcohol may increase that risk. In addition, consumption of alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol during treatment with ketoconazole may trigger a disulfiram-like reaction in some patients, with unpleasant symptoms such as flushing, palpitations, and nausea. Ketoconazole may be taken with or without food. You should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or any supplements that contain grapefruit extract during treatment with ketoconazole unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of ketoconazole. This may increase the risk and/or severity of side effects and liver problems. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs and symptoms of liver damage during treatment with ketoconazole, such as joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, light colored stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Treatment with paricalcitol may require you to adjust your dietary intake of foods which contain natural or added calcium, phosphate (organic and inorganic), and vitamin D. Ingesting too much vitamin D or having elevated calcium and/or phosphorus levels in the blood and urine can lead to toxic effects, such as having an irregular heart rhythm, seizures, kidney stones, and eventual calcification of your blood vessels, cornea and/or the soft tissues in your body. Your doctor will monitor the levels of calcium and phosphorus in your blood during treatment with paricalcitol. Please speak with your healthcare team to determine if you require a specialized diet, particularly if you have reduced kidney function, and to discuss any other questions or concerns you have. You may require additional monitoring or a dose adjustment of paricalcitol if your diet changes. Fortified foods will state on their labeling how much calcium, phosphate, and/or vitamin D has been added. The National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements also provides information on which foods contain calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. You should avoid abrupt changes in your dietary calcium intake and seek medical attention if you experience early symptoms of vitamin D intoxication such as weakness, fatigue, headache, drowsiness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, metallic taste, muscle pain, bone pain, muscle incoordination, and low muscle tone. Late symptoms may include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, conjunctivitis ("pink eye"), light sensitivity, runny nose, itching, increased body temperature, and irregular heart rhythm. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.