calcitriol at a glance
Medicine class
Active vitamin D metabolite
Available forms
Oral soft capsules and skin ointment
Licensed roles
Renal osteodystrophy, established post-menopausal osteoporosis and mild to moderately severe plaque psoriasis
Key safety issue
Excess exposure can raise blood calcium, so monitoring and control of other calcium or vitamin D products are important
What is calcitriol used for?
Licensed uses differ by formulation.
Capsules: correction of calcium and phosphate abnormalities in renal osteodystrophy.
Capsules: established post-menopausal osteoporosis.
Ointment: mild to moderately severe plaque psoriasis affecting no more than 35% of the body surface.
How does calcitriol work?
Calcitriol binds to vitamin D receptors and changes gene activity. Systemically, it increases intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption and supports bone mineral regulation. In psoriatic skin, it slows excessive skin-cell growth, promotes normal differentiation and modifies inflammation.
calcitriol preparations and strengths
Ointment
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 3 micrograms/g
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 0.25 micrograms, 0.5 micrograms
How to take calcitriol
Follow the product label and prescriber's instructions. Capsules and ointment are not interchangeable.
Swallow capsules whole with a little water.
Do not independently increase calcium-rich foods or take calcium or vitamin D supplements without checking with the prescriber.
Apply ointment only to affected, washed and dried skin. Avoid the eyes and wash your hands afterwards.
Do not cover treated skin with an occlusive dressing.
Keep treated fabrics away from cigarettes and naked flames because ointment residue increases flammability.
calcitriol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Capsules: high blood calcium, headache, nausea, abdominal discomfort, rash or urinary tract infection.
- Ointment: itching, redness, irritation or discomfort where applied.
- Less commonly, ointment may cause dry skin or worsen psoriasis.
Get urgent medical advice
- Substantial high blood calcium, with symptoms such as persistent thirst, dehydration, frequent urination, vomiting, marked weakness, drowsiness or an irregular heartbeat.
- A significant hypersensitivity reaction, such as severe rash, widespread hives or swelling.
- Severe skin irritation or suspected contact allergy from the ointment.
calcitriol in pregnancy
Evidence in pregnancy is limited. Oral treatment should be used only when the expected benefit is considered greater than the potential fetal risk. Ointment should be considered only when clearly necessary, with limited exposure and calcium monitoring.
calcitriol while breastfeeding
The formulations differ. Breastfeeding is permitted with the oral product when maternal and infant serum calcium are monitored. The ointment should not be used because human data are lacking. Seek specialist advice.
calcitriol interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and supplementary products because interactions may alter calcium balance or absorption.
Calcium supplements or calcium-rich preparations
Uncontrolled additional calcium can cause hypercalcaemia.
Vitamin D and vitamin D analogues
Combined exposure increases the risk of vitamin D toxicity and hypercalcaemia.
Common questions about calcitriol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is calcitriol the same as ordinary vitamin D?
Calcitriol is the active hormonal form of vitamin D. Unlike colecalciferol, it does not require kidney activation before acting.
Why is it used in kidney disease?
Damaged kidneys may produce too little active vitamin D, disrupting calcium, phosphate and bone metabolism. Oral calcitriol replaces this active form.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.