Indication
Hectorol (doxercalciferol capsules and injection) is indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with Stage 3 or Stage 4 chronic kidney disease (capsules) and in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis (capsules and injection).
Important Safety Information
- Hectorol is contraindicated in patients with a tendency towards hypercalcemia or current evidence of vitamin D toxicity.
- Overdosage of any form of vitamin D is dangerous.
- Acute hypercalcemia may exacerbate tendencies for cardiac arrhythmias and seizures and may potentiate the action of digitalis drugs.
- Chronic hypercalcemia can lead to generalized vascular and soft tissue calcification.
- Pharmacologic doses of vitamin D and its derivatives should be withheld during Hectorol treatment to avoid possible additive effects and hypercalcemia.
- Magnesium-containing antacids and Hectorol should not be administered concomitantly.
- Adverse effects of Hectorol treatment are: hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypercalciuria, and oversuppression of iPTH.
- Adverse events reported by ≥ 5% of the Hectorol-treated predialysis patients included: infection, chest pain, constipation, dyspepsia, anemia, dehydration, depression, hypertonia, insomnia, paresthesia, increased cough, dyspnea, and rhinitis.
- Adverse events reported by ≥ 5% of the Hectorol-treated dialysis patients included: headache, malaise, bradycardia, nausea/vomiting, edema, dizziness, dyspnea, and pruritus.
- See Hectorol Capsules Full Prescribing Information or Hectorol Injection Full Prescribing Information or call Genzyme Medical Information at 1-800-847-0069.
References
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Hectorol (doxercalciferol injection) [package insert]. Cambridge, MA: Genzyme Corp.; Nov 2008.
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Maung HM, Elangovan L, Frazao JM, et al. Efficacy and side effects of intermittent intravenous and oral doxercalciferol (1-hydroxyvitamin D2) in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism: a sequential comparison. Am J Kidney Dis. 2001;37:532-543.