Indications/Uses
Listed in Dosage.
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Dosage/Direction for Use
Adult: PO Hypocalcaemia; Rickets or osteomalacia 10 mcg/day, up to 1 mg/day in severe deficiency.
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Contraindications
Hypercalcaemia, evidence of vit D toxicity, malabsorption syndrome, hypervitaminosis D, abnormal sensitivity to vit D affects; decreased renal function.
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Special Precautions
Serum Ca multiplied by phosphate >>70 may lead to precipitation of Ca phosphate, hypersensitivity, renal function impairment. Patients with normal renal function must take adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Monitor frequently serum and urinary calcium, phosphate and BUN in patients with vit D-resistant rickets. Monitor periodically serum calcium, phosphate, Mg and alkaline phosphatase and 24-hr urinary Ca and phosphate in patients with hypoparathyroid and those undergoing dialysis. Initially, determine serum Ca once or twice wkly while maintaining serum Ca levels at 9-10 mg/dL. Infants. Elderly with coronary disease, renal function impairment or calculi and arteriosclerosis. Pregnancy; lactation.
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Adverse Reactions
Weakness, headache; somnolence; nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation; muscle pain, bone pain, metallic taste; polyuria, polydipsia; anorexia, irritability; wt loss, nocturia, mild acidosis, hypercalciuria; anaemia, reversible azotaemia, generalized vascular calcification, nephrocalcinosis; calcific conjunctivitis; pancreatitis; photophobia; rhinorhhoea; pruritus; hyperthermia; decreased libido; elevated BUN, albuminuria, hypercholesterolaemia, elevated AST and ALT; ectopic calcification; hyertension, cardiac arrhythmias, overt psychosis. Mental retardation.
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Drug Interactions
Increases conc of magnesium-containing antacids leading to hypermagnaesemia in patients on chronic renal dialysis. Increases digitalis glycoside conc resulting in hypercalcaemia and may precipitate cardiac arrhythmia. Increases verapamil conc resulting in atrial fibrillation. Cholestyramine and prolonged use of mineral oil decrease ergocalciferol absorption in the intestines. Thiazide diuretics may cause hypercalcaemia in hypoparathyroid patients on vit D therapy.
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CIMS Class
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ATC Classification
A11CC01 - ergocalciferol ; Belongs to the class of vitamin D and analogues. Used as dietary supplements.
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