Calcitriol is indicated for the correction of the abnormalities of calcium and phosphate metabolism in patients with renal osteodystrophy.
For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments:
Oral
0.25 - 1 ug
From 0.25 To 1 ug once every day
0.25 ug
The initial daily dose is 0.25 mcg of calcitriol. In patients with normal or only slightly reduced calcium levels, doses of 0.25 mcg every other day are sufficient. If no satisfactory response in the biochemical parameters and clinical manifestations of the disease is observed within 2-4 weeks, the daily dosage may be increased by 0.25 mcg at 2-4 week intervals. During this period, serum calcium levels should be determined at least twice weekly. Should the serum calcium levels rise to 1 mg/100ml (250 µmol/l) above normal (9 to 11 mg/100 ml or 2250–2750 µmol/l), or serum creatinine rises to >120 µmol/l, treatment with calcitriol should be stopped immediately until normocalcaemia ensues. Most patients respond to between 0.5 mcg and 1.0 mcg daily.
An oral calcitriol pulse therapy with an initial dosage of 0.1 mcg/kg/week split into two or three equal doses given at the end of the dialysis has been shown to be effective in patients with osteodystrophy refractory to continuous therapy. A maximum total cumulative dosage of 12 mcg per week should not be exceeded.