Rayaldee Side Effects

Generic name: calcifediol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 29, 2023.

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

Applies to calcifediol: oral capsule extended release.

Serious side effects of Rayaldee

Along with its needed effects, calcifediol (the active ingredient contained in Rayaldee) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking calcifediol:

Less common

Abdominal or stomach pain
chest pain
confusion
cough
cough producing mucus
increased urine output
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with moving
dilated neck veins
extreme fatigue
fever or chills
irregular breathing
irregular heartbeat
muscle pain or stiffness
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
pale skin
sneezing
sore throat
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
weakness or heaviness of the legs
weight gain

Incidence not known

Confusion
constipation
depression
dry mouth
headache
incoherent speech
increased urination
loss of appetite
metallic taste
muscle weakness
thirst
weight loss

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking calcifediol:

Symptoms of overdose

Decreased appetite
increased urination
dizziness
dry mouth
fainting
high urine levels of calcium
increase in heart rate
irritability
lightheadedness
muscle weakness
rapid breathing
sunken eyes
wrinkled skin

Other side effects of Rayaldee

Some side effects of calcifediol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Bruise
muscle aches
stuffy or runny nose

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to calcifediol: oral capsule, oral capsule extended release.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included hypercalcemia, and increased phosphate absorption.^[Ref]

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, and vertigo. Later hypercalcemia may result in pruritus, mental confusion, coma, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, metastatic calcification, and renal insufficiency manifested by polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia, and proteinuria. 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.

Because of the long half-life of calcifediol, reversal of toxic symptoms may take 7 to 30 days.^[Ref]