{"id":5142,"date":"2020-12-09T12:49:49","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T12:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/?p=5142"},"modified":"2021-08-05T07:45:17","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T07:45:17","slug":"alphacalcidol-orifarm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/medicines\/alphacalcidol-orifarm\/","title":{"rendered":"Alphacalcidol Orifarm &#8211; Alpha-Calcidol uses, dose and side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\n\n0.25, 0.5, 1 microgram&nbsp;capsules, soft&nbsp;<br>Alpha-Calcidol<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Alfacalcidol Orifarm is and what it is used for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm belongs to a group of medicines called&nbsp;vitamin&nbsp;D&nbsp;analogs.&nbsp;It is a form of D&nbsp;vitamin.&nbsp;D&nbsp;vitamin&nbsp;controls the level of the two substances in your body.&nbsp;These substances are&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;and&nbsp;phosphate.&nbsp;Your body needs both substances for healthy bones and teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm works by increasing the amount of&nbsp;vitamin D&nbsp;in your body.&nbsp;This means that the level of&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;and&nbsp;phosphate&nbsp;will also increase in your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm is used to treat diseases where the amount of&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;in the body needs to be changed.&nbsp;They are used to treat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Bone changes due to renal impairment (osteodystrophy).<\/li><li>Changes in your parathyroid glands.&nbsp;These are small&nbsp;glands&nbsp;in your neck that produce a substance called parathyroid hormone which in turn changes the calcium content in your body.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Too low levels of&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;in the blood caused by the glands (hypoparathyroidism).<\/li><li>Bone softening and deformation due to calcium deficiency (&nbsp;rickets&nbsp;or&nbsp;osteomalacia&nbsp;).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol contained in Alfacalcidol Orifarm may also be approved for the treatment of other conditions not mentioned in this leaflet.&nbsp;Ask your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional if you have any further questions and always follow their instructions.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What you need to know before you use Alfacalcidol Orifarm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do not use Alfacalcidol Orifarm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to alpha-calcidiol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).<\/li><li>If you know you have&nbsp;hypercalcaemia&nbsp;.&nbsp;This means you have high levels of&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;in your blood.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor before taking Alfacalcidol Orifarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warnings and cautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Alfacalcidol Orifarm if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>have kidney problems.&nbsp;This includes&nbsp;kidney stones&nbsp;.<\/li><li>have atherosclerosis<\/li><li>have calcification of the heart valve or lung tissue<\/li><li>have a disease that increases the sensitivity to&nbsp;vitamin&nbsp;D (eg&nbsp;sarcoidosis&nbsp;)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your&nbsp;blood&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;or phosphate levels may become too high if you take this medicine.&nbsp;Please read section 4 of this leaflet so that you know the symptoms that you are experiencing.&nbsp;Your doctor may need to change your&nbsp;dose&nbsp;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you are taking Alfacalcidol Orifarm, your doctor will take regular blood tests.&nbsp;This is done to check the&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;and phosphate levels in the blood while you are taking your medicine.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your doctor may&nbsp;prescribe&nbsp;another medicine &#8211; a phosphate binder taken at the same time as Alfacalcidol Orifarm.&nbsp;This will help you maintain the right amount of&nbsp;phosphate&nbsp;in your blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other medicines and Alfacalcidol Orifarm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You must tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Anticonvulsants (antispasmodics): for&nbsp;epilepsy&nbsp;or seizures.&nbsp;You may need a larger&nbsp;dose of&nbsp;Alfacalcidol Orifarm.<\/li><li>Barbiturates: for&nbsp;epilepsy&nbsp;.&nbsp;You may need a larger&nbsp;dose of&nbsp;Alfacalcidol Orifarm.<\/li><li>Cardiac glycosides such as digoxin: for heart problems.&nbsp;Your blood calcium level may be too high.&nbsp;This can cause an abnormal heart rhythm.<\/li><li>Cholestyramine: to lower cholesterol levels, or to help stop some forms of diarrhea or&nbsp;itching&nbsp;.&nbsp;Your Alfacalcidol Orifarm will not be able to reach your bloodstream normally.<\/li><li>Thiazide diuretics, often called &#8220;diuretic tablets&#8221;: to increase the amount of water (urine) that your body produces.&nbsp;Your blood calcium level may be too high.<\/li><li>Medicines containing&nbsp;magnesium&nbsp;that bind stomach acid (so-called antacids) and laxatives containing magnesium: Your magnesium level in the blood may be too high.<\/li><li>Calcium&nbsp;or preparations containing&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;.&nbsp;Your blood calcium level may be too high.<\/li><li>Other preparations containing&nbsp;vitamin D&nbsp;or its&nbsp;analogues&nbsp;.&nbsp;Their effects can be additive and your calcium level in the blood can become too high.<\/li><li>Preparations that contain aluminum (eg aluminum hydroxide, sucralfate) as Alfacalcidol Orifarm may increase the concentration of aluminum in your blood.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alfacalcidol Orifarm with food, drink and alcohol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can take the capsules with or without food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Pregnancy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm should not be used during pregnancy as it may harm the fetus.&nbsp;Use contraception during treatment with Alfacalcidol Orifarm.&nbsp;Talk to your doctor.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Breast-feeding<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your doctor will decide if you should use Alfacalcidol Orifarm while breast-feeding.&nbsp;Talk to your doctor.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Fertility<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is not known whether Alfacalcidol Orifarm affects&nbsp;fertility&nbsp;.&nbsp;Precautions should be taken.&nbsp;Talk to your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving and using machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Usually, your medicine has very little effect on your ability to drive or use machines.&nbsp;As dizziness can be a side effect of the treatment, you should take this into account when driving or using machines.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires increased attention.&nbsp;One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and \/ or&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;.&nbsp;Descriptions of these effects and&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;can be found in other sections.&nbsp;Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance.&nbsp;If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alfacalcidol Orifarm contains sorbitol E420 and the color Allura Red AC (E129)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm contains sorbitol.&nbsp;If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm 0.5 microgram capsules contain the azo dye Allura Red AC (E129).&nbsp;The substance may cause allergic reactions.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to use Alfacalcidol Orifarm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.&nbsp;Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>The recommended&nbsp;dose&nbsp;is:<\/strong><\/em><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Adults and children weighing more than 20 kg:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The usual starting dose is 1 microgram daily.&nbsp;Your doctor will adjust the&nbsp;dose individually for you.&nbsp;Maintenance dose: 0.25 &#8211; 2 micrograms daily.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Children weighing less than 20 kg:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The usual starting dose is 0.05 micrograms per kilogram body weight daily.&nbsp;For example, a child with a body weight of 10 kg should be given a starting dose of 0.5 micrograms.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is necessary to check the&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;and phosphorus levels in your blood through blood tests.&nbsp;Talk to your doctor.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have very low levels of&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;in your blood, your doctor may&nbsp;prescribe between 3 and 5 micrograms daily.&nbsp;Your doctor may&nbsp;prescribe&nbsp;another medicine called a calcium supplement to be taken with Alfacalcidol Orifarm.&nbsp;This will help maintain the right level of&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;in the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;and phosphate levels in the blood may be too high.&nbsp;Please read section 4 of this leaflet so that you recognize the symptoms that you may experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you forget to take Alfacalcidol Orifarm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember.&nbsp;Then take the following&nbsp;dose&nbsp;at the usual time.&nbsp;Do not take a double&nbsp;dose&nbsp;to make up for a forgotten&nbsp;dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you stop taking Alfacalcidol Orifarm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In general, your treatment lasts for a long time.&nbsp;Alfacalcidol Orifarm should be taken regularly.&nbsp;Ask your doctor for advice if you want to stop taking the medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Possible side effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all medicines, this medicine can cause&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;, although not everybody gets them.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Serious side effects:<\/strong><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Headache, weakness, high&nbsp;blood pressure&nbsp;, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, large amounts of urine, sweating, dizziness, increased thirst (&nbsp;polydipsia&nbsp;), drowsiness, muscle and leg pain and metallic taste in the mouth.&nbsp;These symptoms can be caused by too high levels of&nbsp;calcium&nbsp;in your blood (&nbsp;hypercalcaemia&nbsp;, may affect up to 1 in 10 people).<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Low&nbsp;blood pressure&nbsp;and tendency to faint, calcification of the skin and&nbsp;subcutaneous tissue&nbsp;, as well as along the edge of the cornea.&nbsp;These symptoms can be caused by too high a phosphate level in the blood (&nbsp;hyperphosphatemia&nbsp;, may occur in up to 1 in 100 users).<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Calcification of ligaments and tendons (calcinosis, may occur in up to 1 in 100 users).<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Other side effects:<\/strong><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common side effects:<\/strong>&nbsp;may affect up to 1 in 10 people<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gastrointestinal&nbsp;pain and discomfort, rash,&nbsp;itching&nbsp;, increased&nbsp;urinary calcium&nbsp;(&nbsp;hypercalciuria&nbsp;).<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Less common&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;are<\/strong>&nbsp;: may affect up to 1 in 100<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Confusion, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, nausea, fatigue, weakness, discomfort, muscle aches and&nbsp;kidney stones&nbsp;.&nbsp;Renal impairment including&nbsp;acute&nbsp;renal failure&nbsp;.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rare&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;are<\/strong>&nbsp;: may affect up to 1 in 1000 users<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dizziness<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Reporting of side effects<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.&nbsp;This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.&nbsp;You can also report side effects directly to the Medical Products Agency,&nbsp;www.lakemedelsverket.se.&nbsp;By reporting side effects, you can help increase drug safety information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. How to store Alfacalcidol Orifarm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not store above 30 \u00b0 C.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton.&nbsp;The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.&nbsp;Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.&nbsp;These measures will help to protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Contents of the packaging and other information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Content declaration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; The active substance is alpha-calcidiol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm 0.25 microgram capsules contain 0.25 micrograms of alfacalcidol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm 0.5 microgram capsules contain 0.5 micrograms of alfacalcidol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm 1 microgram capsule contains 1 microgram of alfacalcidol.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other ingredients are: medium triglycerides;&nbsp;butyl hydroxyanisole (E320), butylhydroxytoluene (E321), gelatin, sorbitol, liquid (non-crystallizing) (E420),&nbsp;glycerol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>0.25 microgram capsules also contain titanium dioxide (E171).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>0.5 microgram capsules also contain titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron dioxide (E172), Allura Red AC (E129) and brilliant blue (E133).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1 microgram capsules also contain black iron oxide (E172) and red iron oxide (E172).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the medicine looks like and contents of the pack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Alfacalcidol Orifarm 0.25 microgram capsules are oval, white opaque soft gelatin capsules.<\/li><li>Alfacalcidol Orifarm 0.5 microgram capsules are oval, red opaque soft gelatin capsules.<\/li><li>Alfacalcidol Orifarm 1 microgram capsules are oval, brown opaque, soft gelatin capsules.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm is available in blister packs of 98, 100, 98 x 1 or 100 x 1 capsules.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all pack sizes may be marketed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Orifarm Generics A \/ S<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Energivej 15<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5260 Odense S<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Denmark<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Local representative:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Orifarm Generics AB,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Box 56048,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>102 17 Stockholm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>info@orifarm.com<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This medicinal product is authorized under the European Economic Area under the names:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Denmark<\/td><td>Alphacalcidol Orifarm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Norway<\/td><td>Alphacalcidol Orifarm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Finland<\/td><td>Alphacalcidol Orifarm<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alfacalcidol Orifarm belongs to a group of medicines called vitamin D analogs. It is a form of D vitamin. D vitamin controls the level of the two substances in your body. These substances are calcium and phosphate. Your body needs both substances for healthy bones and teeth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2201,2200],"tags":[11083,11086,11089,11093,11088,11095,11087,11094,11085,11091,11084,11090],"class_list":["post-5142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a","category-medicines","tag-alpha-calcidol","tag-alpha-calcidol-capsule","tag-alphacalcidol-orifarm","tag-alphacalcidol-orifarm-capsule","tag-benefits-of-alpha-calcidol","tag-benefits-of-alphacalcidol-orifarm","tag-side-effects-of-alpha-calcidol","tag-side-effects-of-alphacalcidol-orifarm","tag-what-alpha-calcidol-is-used-for","tag-what-alphacalcidol-orifarm-is-used-for","tag-what-is-alpha-calcidol","tag-what-is-alphacalcidol-orifarm"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5142"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12907,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5142\/revisions\/12907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}