JALCIUM ALFA Cap (Alfacalcidol Softgel)

ALFACALCIDOL belongs to the class of ‘Vitamins’, primarily used to treat low blood calcium and phosphate levels. ALFACALCIDOL effectively treats Vitamin D deficiency, renal osteodystrophy (changes in bone caused by kidney failure), hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid glands make high levels of calcium in the body), hypoparathyroidism (parathyroid glands make low levels of calcium in the body), hypocalcaemia (low levels of calcium), and rickets or osteomalacia (softening or deforming of bones due to lack of calcium). Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body has low Vitamin D levels and is caused due to inadequate nutrition, intestinal malabsorption, or lack of exposure to sunlight.

ALFACALCIDOL contains ‘Alfacalcidol,’ which is an analogue of Vitamin D. It is a nutritional supplement activated by liver enzymes after intake. Alfacalcidol is further converted into the active form of vitamin D3 (calcitriol) and works by strengthening the bones by increasing the calcium and phosphate levels in the blood. Calcium and phosphate are the essential substances to form healthy bones and teeth.

ALFACALCIDOL is available in the form of an oral tablet, capsule, solution, and intravenous shot. Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. ALFACALCIDOL is likely safe when taken by mouth or given as a shot. In some cases, it may cause side effects like weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side effects of ALFACALCIDOL do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.

If you are known to be allergic to ALFACALCIDOL or its inactive components, please inform your doctor. Please tell your doctor if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). Brief your medical history if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), and kidney stones. Chewable or dissolving tablets of ALFACALCIDOL may contain sugar or aspartame; hence caution should be taken if you have diabetes and phenylketonuria (increased levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine). Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking ALFACALCIDOL. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. ALFACALCIDOL passes into the breast milk, hence breastfeeding mothers need to seek medical advice before starting ALFACALCIDOL. ALFACALCIDOL is safe to use in children when prescribed by the doctor.