Alfacalcidol( trade name Alfa D3-Teva) is a synthetic analogue of vitamin D3.In its properties refers to a group of vitamins and vitamin-like remedies, as well as to correctors of the metabolism of bone and cartilaginous tissue.
It is used in situations of hypo-and vitamin D vitamin deficiency in patients, as well as in diseases and other conditions associated with increased demand in the body for this vitamin.
The drug is widely used in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in patients of different age groups.
The drug is available in the form of capsules with a different dosage of the active substance - alfacalcidol. There are capsules of 0.25 and 1 μg. The package contains - 10, 30 or 60 capsules.
Table of contents
- Pharmacological action
- Pharmacokinetics of
- Medications for use
- Limitations for the use of
- Medication for use
- Side effect of
- Supplementary instructions
- Interaction with other medications
- Opinion of doctors and patients about
- The expert
- says Patient feedback
- Buy orpass by?!
Pharmacological action
Formula of alfacalcidol
Alfacalcidol regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. Has the ability to replenish vitamin D deficiency in the body.
Is a natural, or synthetic analogue of calcidiol - a form of vitamin D found in the human body, and is formed from vitamin D3 in kidney tissue.
Calcidiol is an active form of vitamin that has a direct effect on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in bone and cartilage tissues.
This vitamin facilitates the absorption of calcium from the intestinal lumen into the blood, as well as the reverse reabsorption of this ion in the kidney's tubules. All this leads to an increase in the calcium content in the blood.
In addition, it reduces the destruction of bone tissue and contributes to its strengthening by increasing the deposition of mineral complexes. 
Has an indirect diminishing effect on the content of parathyroid hormone in the blood( increases the disintegration of bone tissue), due to the effect on the parathyroid glands.
Increases the calcium content of the blood in conditions associated with reduced calcium absorption, reduces the rate of destruction of bone and cartilaginous tissue, which reduces the risk of fractures.
With prolonged use reduces pain in the bones and muscles, associated with a violation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
Pharmacokinetics of
The substance is actively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and reaches a maximum concentration in the blood after 8-18 hours.
Duration of the drug - up to two days. The half-life of Alfacalcidol is about 3 hours. In the blood is in a bound state with plasma proteins, with which it is delivered to the liver, where the activation of the vitamin occurs, associated with its conversion into calcitriol.
A small percentage of the drug is destroyed in the bone tissue.
The distribution of the metabolized drug across the body is uneven, with the concentration of the active substance in the bone and cartilaginous tissues, which directly affects the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.
Indications for use
Preparations based on Alfacalcidol( Alpha DZ-Teva, Van Alpha) are used in the following cases: 
- osteodystrophic processes in the body of , including those associated with impaired renal function;
- osteoporosis , due to various causes;
- decreased parathyroid function - hypoparathyroidism ;
- renal acidosis , disrupting the reabsorption of calcium from the lumen of the renal tubules;
- diet with a defective or unbalanced diet .
Restrictions for the use of
Contraindications:
- hypersensitivity to the active substance and auxiliary components;
- hypercalcemia , because in this case, the drug is not justified;
- Vitamin D hypervitaminosis ;
- osteodystrophy with hyperphosphatemia associated with impaired renal function, as there is a risk of calcium deposition in the tissues of various organs.
In addition to contraindications, there are a number of conditions in which treatment with alfacalcidol should be carried out with constant monitoring of clinical and laboratory data.
These restrictions include: atherosclerotic lesions of vessels of any location, different granulomatosis, active form of tuberculosis and any other acute infectious process, chronic renal failure, as well as children and the elderly.
Instruction for use
The drug is administered either intravenously or intravenously. In this case, treatment starts with low starting doses of the active substance, under constant monitoring of calcium and phosphorus in the blood at least once a week.
Adults, when taken orally, the initial dose is 1 μg of active ingredient per day, with the possibility of an increase of 0.25-0.5 μg / day until the required values of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.
Children calculate the dose based on their body weight and age. The duration of therapy is individual and depends on the initial disease and the effectiveness of the treatment. Sometimes life-long use of the drug is possible.
When using Alfacalcidol intravenously, it is possible to administer the drug bolus at the end of the hemodialysis sessions. The starting dose is 1 μg, the maximum possible for one dialysis is 6 μg. The permissible dose per week is 12 μg.
Side effect of the drug
Adverse reactions with the drug are very rare. However, the following conditions may arise: 
- of nausea, the appearance of discomfort in the upper abdomen, intestinal motility disorder - the occurrence of prolonged constipation;
- decreased physical and mental performance, increased drowsiness;
- allergic reactions in the form of rashes and itching on the skin.
There is much less change in the activity of liver enzymes and hyperphosphataemia.
Additional information
It is very important during the treatment to constantly monitor the calcium and phosphate levels in the patient's blood. At the start of treatment, biochemical analysis with the determination of these parameters should be conducted at least once a week, then, with a selected maintenance dose, once every two to three weeks.
Such a simple method of monitoring, allows you to minimize the risk of developing an overdose of calcium and phosphate.
If the patient has chronic renal insufficiency, then before using the drugs, it is necessary to reduce the level of phosphates in the blood with hyperphosphatemia.
Most often, against the background of treatment with alfacalcidol, hypervitaminosis of vitamin D develops. Clinically, it manifests itself as the occurrence of periodic pain in the bones, a violation of the motility of the gastrointestinal tract( diarrhea or constipation), increased sleepiness and rapid fatigue, an increase in daily diuresis and a decrease in appetite.
Over time, in the absence of treatment, there are other symptoms: persistent pain in the bones and joints, urine acquires a murky shade, there is a fever, conjunctivitis, calcification centers may appear in any organs and tissues. With a long rise in the level of calcium in the blood, changes in the psyche and mood develop.
The use of the drug for the therapy of pregnant women and lactation is limited, due to the risk of complications from the fetus and the child. Possible use of the drug for the therapy of these groups of individuals, if the intended benefit of the treatment is higher than the possible risks.
Possible complications: hypersensitivity of the child to vitamin D, the occurrence of delayed psycho-motor development, violations in the intellectual sphere, very often congenital heart defects( stenosis of the aortic valve, etc.).
Admission of alfacalcidol for the treatment of children should be carried out with the constant supervision of a pediatrician and more frequent biochemical studies of calcium and phosphorus in the blood plasma.
Interaction with other drugs
With special care, it is necessary to prescribe drugs based on Alfacalcidol on the background of cardiac glycosides( Digoxin, etc.), since such a combination can trigger the development of severe rhythm disturbances.
Simultaneous administration of drugs that accelerate metabolic processes in the liver cells( phenytoin, barbituric acid preparations) increases the rate of processing of the substance, which can change its effectiveness, both in the best and in the worst.
Antacids, albumin and oil preparations reduce the absorption of alfacalcidol, which requires the appointment of higher doses.
The risk of hypercalcemia and vitamin D hypervitaminosis occurs when Alfacalcidol and preparations containing vitamin D are simultaneously given to patients, as well as calcium or thiazide diuretics( Hypothiazide and the like).
Positive effects associated with reducing the risk of side effects, renders a joint prescription of the drug with Retinol, Tocopherol, ascorbic acid and other vitamins of the group.
The opinion of doctors and patients about the preparation of
Alfacalcidol is widely applied to clinical practice, and is approved by both patients and patients, as noted in numerous reviews.
Says expert
My patient with a diagnosis of osteoporosis always appoints Alfadol, which allows to increase the formation of bone tissue and stop its destruction. It is included in the international recommendations for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Compared with other drugs used to treat osteoporosis, it has the least side effects, mainly on the gastrointestinal tract( esophagitis, gastritis, diarrhea), which is not always the case in all patients and is easily prevented by taking Almagel or Aaalox, or by consumingmilk( with its normal portability).
The duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician. Of course, do not forget that, along with drug therapy, great importance is proper nutrition and movement, physical education, stay in the fresh air.
Physician-therapist Iginina M.N.
Patient feedback
For a long time, Alfacalcidol was used to treat osteoporosis associated with post-menopausal changes in the body. The pains observed in the bones in the evenings passed very quickly.
The attending physician noted improvement in bone tissue after X-ray examination. No side effects on the background of taking the drug did not arise.
Marina G, 54
Because of a congenital defect in enzyme systems, I had to take bisphosphonate preparations for a long time, against which there were constantly problems from the intestine - then constipation, then vice versa diarrhea.
Several years of suffering with this, but then did not see any analogs for this method of treatment. About a year and a half ago, he moved to another city and registered with another treating doctor. He appointed Oxidevit. Manifestations of the disease have practically disappeared, as well as my problems with the intestines.
Philip I, 43
Buy or pass by? !
Reviews of the medicinal product by the attending physicians and patients are positive. Especially often, Alfacalcidol is prescribed 
for elderly patients with osteoporosis.
Adverse reactions with proper monitoring of treatment occur very rarely.
There are several trade names of Alfacalcidol: Alfadol, Oxidevit, Alfa DZ-Teva, Van Alpha, etc., the average price of all analogues ranges from 200 to 500 rubles, depending on the brand and the number of capsules in the package.
